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 floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling and too perfumed.
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.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- 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.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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 more aromatic, and fruitier.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Macabeo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and leaner and more cutting.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
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 less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Soave
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 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 less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
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 less floral, and more oaky.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more 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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.