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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it and how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too perfumed.
- You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it 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.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Phoenix 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.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Xarel·lo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Verdicchio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English Blanc de Blancs
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and leaner and more cutting.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more sparkling.
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 fuller and richer, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains 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.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains 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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Aligoté
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Roditis
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.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Roditis
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
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.