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.
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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 floral, perfumed side, the tropical, exotic fruit and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too green or grassy.
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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
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.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli 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.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Muscadelle
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains 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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Kerner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
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.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 less floral, and riper and less green.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
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.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and lighter.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
English still white
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
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.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more restrained in fruit.
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.