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.
Refine
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 heavy, too plain or too simple, too tropical or sweet-smelling and too savoury or funky.
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 heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less savoury or funky.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less savoury or funky.
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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Verdicchio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Rkatsiteli
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Pošip
Pošip scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
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 more aromatic, and less oaky.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fuller and richer.
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.