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, while moving away from too plain or too simple and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. 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.
Chardonnay
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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Friuli white
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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
White Burgundy
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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Chenin Blanc
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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Garganega
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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Slavonian Graševina
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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
White Burgundy
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 fresher and more acidic, 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
White Burgundy
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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
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 oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
White Burgundy
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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
White Burgundy
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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Brda Rebula
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 oaky.
Aligoté
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Štajerska Šipon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
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 oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
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 less oaky.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Condrieu
Condrieu 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
White Burgundy
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.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
White Burgundy
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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.