If you like this, try…
Wines like Hárslevelű
Tokaj’s second variety, contributing perfume and honeyed richness to Furmint blends. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Hárslevelű?
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 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.
- The creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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.
- The touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too buttery or thick and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about acidity, 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.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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 less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Roussanne
Roussanne scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Pošip
Pošip scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less oaky, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
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 less oaky, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Szamorodni
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Szamorodni
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
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.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.