If you like this, try…
Wines like Phoenix
A disease-resistant German crossing grown in the UK for aromatic still whites. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Phoenix?
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.
- 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.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
Looking for something keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too perfumed and too floral or soapy.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
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.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more 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.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
English Blanc de Noirs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fuller and richer.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
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.