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 and too light or thin.
- 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.
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.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less light or thin.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
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.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from solaris, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Vidal
Vidal scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
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 lighter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and sweeter.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
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 lighter.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Soave Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
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.