If you like this, try…
Wines like Riesling
The most transparent and longest-lived white variety, made from bone dry to intensely sweet and almost never oaked. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Riesling?
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 citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- 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.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- 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.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something keeping that the fruit is not covered in oak and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too light or thin.
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.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less 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.
Mosel Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Kabinett
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Mosel Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Kabinett
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
English Blanc de Noirs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Grenache Blanc
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 of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Scheurebe
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Gros Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.