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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.
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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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
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 alcoholic or warming.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Phoenix
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.
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.
Spätlese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Riesling
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Prosecco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Friulano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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.