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 moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling, too perfumed, too green or grassy and too light or thin.
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.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less light or thin.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- 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.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri 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.
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.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Melon de Bourgogne
Melon de Bourgogne 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.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Encruzado
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.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 fruitier.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Savennières
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.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English sparkling wine
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 lighter.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Corpinnat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Albana
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.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Friulano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 lighter in alcohol.
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.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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 fruitier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng 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.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, 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.