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.
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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 alcoholic or warming and too floral or soapy.
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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Verdelho
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Roditis
Roditis scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Aligoté
Aligoté scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
English still white
English still white scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Trebbiano Romagnolo scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 in alcohol, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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 less floral.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 in alcohol, and less floral.
Corpinnat
Both are made from macabeo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
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.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Clairette
Clairette scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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.