If you like this, try…
Wines like Solaris
A very early-ripening disease-resistant crossing, important in Wales and Scandinavia. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Solaris?
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 tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- 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.
- The creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- 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.
Looking for something keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too buttery or thick, too perfumed and too floral or soapy.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Vidiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Soave Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Vidiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
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.
English still white
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from solaris, 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 more restrained in fruit.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
English still white
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
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.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
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.