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 keeping that the fruit is not covered in oak and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from 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.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- 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.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
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.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more fruit-driven.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and earthier.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
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 more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more fruit-driven.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Antão Vaz
Antão Vaz scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
English Blanc de Blancs
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and sweeter.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Savagnin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more fruit-driven.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from kisi, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
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.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more fruit-driven.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
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.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
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.