If you like this, try…
Wines like Bacchus
England’s most distinctive still white variety: aromatic, hedgerow-scented and often compared to Sauvignon Blanc. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Bacchus?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- The tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
Looking for something keeping the herbal, green edge and the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too green or grassy and too light or thin.
- You said you like the herbal, green edge and that it is too green or grassy. Both are about herbal / green character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
Friuli white scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Welschriesling
Welschriesling scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Franken Silvaner
Franken Silvaner scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
English still white
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Australian Riesling
Australian Riesling scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.