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 alcoholic or warming, 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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- More alcoholic or warming, not less.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Picpoul
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- A little 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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
Melon de Bourgogne
Melon de Bourgogne scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Muscadet
Muscadet scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
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.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Friulano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
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 sweeter.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
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 fruitier.
Seyval Blanc
Seyval Blanc scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cava
Both are made from macabeo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Verdelho
Verdelho scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
New Zealand Chardonnay
New Zealand Chardonnay scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Falanghina
Falanghina scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Falanghina
Falanghina scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Avesso
Avesso scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Pošip
Pošip scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Macabeo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.