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 how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too light or thin and too sharp or acidic.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about alcohol, 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.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are high-acid, unoaked central European whites of real precision.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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 noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Rheinhessen 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 how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Scheurebe
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.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are high-acid, unoaked central European whites of real precision.
Expect: Drier, more peppery and more savoury, with less floral fruit.
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 stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheinhessen 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 drier, and more oaky.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
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 stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
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 drier, and more oaky.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
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 stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheinhessen 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Rheinhessen 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 drier, and more oaky.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are high-acid, unoaked central European whites of real precision.
Expect: Drier, more peppery and more savoury, with less floral fruit.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
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 drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 drier, and more oaky.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheinhessen 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 stronger and warmer, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are high-acid, unoaked central European whites of real precision.
Expect: Drier, more peppery and more savoury, with less floral fruit.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
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 stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheinhessen 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.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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 stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheinhessen 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 more restrained in fruit.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 drier, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are high-acid, unoaked central European whites of real precision.
Expect: Drier, more peppery and more savoury, with less floral fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheinhessen 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
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.
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 stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheinhessen 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
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 drier, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are high-acid, unoaked central European whites of real precision.
Expect: Drier, more peppery and more savoury, with less floral fruit.
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.