If you like this, try…

Wines like Malagousia

A Greek variety rescued from near-extinction in the 1970s, producing full, peachy, aromatic whites. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Malagousia

Refine

What do you like about Malagousia?

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.

I like…

The tropical fruit How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture That it is not oaky The floral character That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too heavy too buttery or thick too plain or too simple too floral or soapy too austere

Clear all

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 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 the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too austere, too buttery or thick and too heavy.

You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.

Ortega

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less austere.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.

Muscadelle

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less austere.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
A little less heavy.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less austere.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Ortega

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Muscadelle

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Ortega

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Muscadelle

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

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, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Albana

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Viognier

curated

Both are full, aromatic, stone-fruited whites with moderate acidity.

Expect: More apricot-driven and lower in acid.

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Malagousia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Malagousia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Ortega

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Muscadelle

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Malvazija Istarska

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and stronger and warmer.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer scores closest to Malagousia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Viognier

curated

Both are full, aromatic, stone-fruited whites with moderate acidity.

Expect: More apricot-driven and lower in acid.

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Malagousia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Sekt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Austrian Sekt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Aidani

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Albana

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

White Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Welschriesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Albana

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.

Torrontés

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher and more acidic.

Rheinhessen Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Nahe Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Rheinhessen Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Garganega

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

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.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

English Bacchus

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Ortega

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Muscadelle

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Ortega

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Muscadelle

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Albariño

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.

How these are chosen

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.