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 moving away from too light or thin, too alcoholic or warming and too sharp or lemony.
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.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or lemony.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or lemony.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
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.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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.
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.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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 more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Savagnin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 fruitier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
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 fruitier, and broader and softer.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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 fresher.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fruitier.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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 fruitier.
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.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
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 neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
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.