If you like this, try…
Wines like Macabeo
A Spanish white used in both Cava and white Rioja, where it is called Viura. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Macabeo?
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.
- 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.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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.
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.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
Muscadelle
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscadelle
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscadelle
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more aromatic.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more aromatic.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher and more acidic.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cava
Both are made from macabeo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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 savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscadelle
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscadelle
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscadelle
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Chardonnay
curatedA useful anchor for a soft, moderately acidic white that takes well to lees and time.
Expect: Macabeo is more neutral and appley, with much less aromatic presence.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.