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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too buttery or thick.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
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 drier, and fresher.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
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 drier, and fresher.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
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.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, 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.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Trebbiano Spoletino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 drier, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roussanne
Roussanne scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 floral, and more sparkling.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 drier, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
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 floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Tokaji Aszú
Both are made from hárslevelű, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more sparkling.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
English still white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and drier.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 less floral, and drier.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 more aromatic, and leaner and more cutting.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Szamorodni
Both are made from hárslevelű, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.