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 and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too sweet and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is too plain or too simple. Both are about oak influence, 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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from hárslevelű, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sweet.
- 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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 drier, and less floral.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 drier, 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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 drier, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Rheingau Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
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 drier, and less floral.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
Tokaji Aszú
Both are made from hárslevelű, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Sauternes
Sauternes scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
Viognier 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 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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 drier.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 drier, and less oaky.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Hárslevelű across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 drier, and less floral.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 drier, and less floral.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.