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 that the fruit is not covered in oak and the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
Falanghina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
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.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less 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.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Gros Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Prosecco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Falanghina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Fiano
Fiano scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Friulano
Friulano scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
English Bacchus
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
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.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Albariño
Albariño scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Rías Baixas Albariño
Rías Baixas Albariño scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
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.