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, how much it smells of, before you even taste it and the floral, perfumed side.
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.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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 herbal and green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and leaner and more cutting.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Malvazija Istarska
Malvazija Istarska scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Istrian Malvazija
Istrian Malvazija scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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 leaner and more cutting, and sweeter.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and leaner and more cutting.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and leaner and more cutting.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
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 less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more sparkling.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Müller-Thurgau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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 floral, and more herbal and green.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Kerner
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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Phoenix across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more sparkling.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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 herbal and green.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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 herbal and green.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
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.