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, the tropical, exotic fruit and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too light or thin and too sharp or lemony.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too sharp or lemony. Both are about fruit intensity, 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.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- A little less light or thin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, 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.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or lemony.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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 fresher.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
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.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Kabinett
Kabinett 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 fresher.
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Malvasia
Malvasia 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.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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 fruitier.
Vin de Constance
Vin de Constance scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Torrontés
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.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Fiano
Fiano scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Fiano di Avellino
Fiano di Avellino scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Garganega
Garganega scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Wachau Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Roussanne
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.
Pecorino
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.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer 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 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 fresher.
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.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
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.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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 more neutral and subtle.
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.