If you like this, try…
Wines like Kisi
A rare Georgian variety producing distinctive, honeyed amber wines. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Kisi?
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 full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- 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 savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too austere, too heavy, too plain or too simple, too buttery or thick and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Slavonian Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
English still white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Auxerrois
Auxerrois scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Kisi 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.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Welsh white wine
Welsh white wine scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Grüner Veltliner
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less 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.