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 light and easy it feels and the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling.
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 how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
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 floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
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 floral, perfumed side.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from phoenix, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
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.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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, and lighter in alcohol.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Rkatsiteli
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 restrained in fruit.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Loureiro
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.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Soave
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
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 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 lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 floral, and more aromatic.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fuller and richer, and less floral.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
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 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 fuller and richer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains 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 fruitier, and more aromatic.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from phoenix, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
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 less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from phoenix, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Chenin Blanc
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 fruitier.
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.