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 it is not too alcoholic and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming.
- You said you like that it is not too alcoholic and that it is too alcoholic or warming. 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.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Nahe 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 it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Mosel Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Kabinett
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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.
Mosel Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Kabinett
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
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 more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less spicy.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 more oaky, and drier.
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 fuller and richer.
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 in alcohol.
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 in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 drier, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
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.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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 more oaky, and drier.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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 more oaky, and drier.
Albariño
curatedFor a Riesling drinker who wants reliable dryness with the same crispness.
Expect: Less aromatic and more saline, with stone fruit in place of lime.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.