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 floral, perfumed side and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too light or thin, too sharp or lemony and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
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.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- A little less light or thin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- A little less light or thin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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
Kabinett scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
Riesling 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.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
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.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English sparkling wine
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Chenin Blanc
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 fruitier.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu 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.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Spätlese
Spätlese 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 lighter, and riper and less green.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fruitier.
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.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fruitier.
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 fresher.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
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.