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 it is properly dry and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling and 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.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Trebbiano Spoletino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- 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.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 lighter.
Jacquère
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.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 lighter.
Jacquère
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.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 lighter.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from kisi, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 sweeter, and more oaky.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stiller.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stiller.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
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.
Santorini 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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 lighter.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from kisi, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Kisi across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
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.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 aromatic.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 lighter.
Jacquère
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.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 lighter.
Jacquère
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
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.