If you like this, try…
Wines like Šipon
The Slovenian name for Furmint, made dry in Štajerska rather than sweet. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Šipon?
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 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.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too sharp or acidic, too austere, too alcoholic or warming and too plain or too simple.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Toscano scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Welsh white wine
Welsh white wine scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Šipon 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.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Cava
Cava scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Silvaner
Silvaner scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Dry Furmint
Dry Furmint scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Štajerska Šipon
Both are made from šipon, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and drier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Šipon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.