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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too buttery or thick 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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- 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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
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 less oaky, and more floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less oaky, and more floral.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
White Bordeaux
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 neutral and subtle.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Brda Rebula
Brda Rebula scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and more floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
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 less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
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 aromatic, and less oaky.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
English still white
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
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 less oaky.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more 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.
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 less oaky, and more floral.
English still white
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
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 less oaky, and more floral.
English still white
Both are made from solaris.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
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 less oaky, and more floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
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 less oaky, and more floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
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.