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.
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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 moving away from too floral or soapy.
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 Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- 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 Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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 less floral, and more savoury.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Catarratto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Doña Blanca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less floral, and more sparkling.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
English still white
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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 less floral, and fresher.
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 floral, and fresher.
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.
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 Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
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.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.