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 keeping that it is properly dry, while moving away from too light or thin and too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
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.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
Both are made from macabeo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Corpinnat
Both are made from macabeo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Pfalz Riesling
Pfalz Riesling scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
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.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Vernaccia di San Gimignano scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in 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 Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.