If you like this, try…
Wines like Kerner
A German crossing of Riesling and Schiava, grown in Germany and notably in Alto Adige. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Kerner?
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.
- 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.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- 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 floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
Looking for something keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too perfumed.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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.
Alpine white
Both are made from kerner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Alpine white
Both are made from kerner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Alpine white
Both are made from kerner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Šipon
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.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Kerner 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.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Falanghina
Falanghina scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Phoenix
Phoenix scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
Hárslevelű scores closest to Kerner 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.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
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.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
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.