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.
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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 light and easy it feels and the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too plain or too simple.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from phoenix, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from phoenix, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
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 fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Friuli white
Friuli white scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Brda Rebula
Brda Rebula scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Rheingau Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
English still white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Szamorodni
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 more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more restrained in fruit.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky, and more aromatic.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
English still white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
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 less oaky.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from phoenix, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
English still white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from phoenix, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from phoenix, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
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.