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 and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
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.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Slavonian Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less floral.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Slavonian Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
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.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Maria Gomes
Maria Gomes scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Ortega
Ortega scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Muscadelle
Muscadelle 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.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 less floral.
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 fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
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 spicier.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.