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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 citrus and green-apple character, the tropical, exotic fruit and how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
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.
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 citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of 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.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
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 riper and less green.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
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 fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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 fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
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.
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: Chosen because you asked for something less tannic.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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 broader and softer, and riper and less green.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Spoletino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Solaris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
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.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and broader and softer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 broader and softer.
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 fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
English still white
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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and broader and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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 fuller and richer.
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 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 lighter.
English still white
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 more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 riper and less green.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
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.
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 riper and less green.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
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.