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, the tropical, exotic fruit and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is too plain or too simple. Both are about oak influence, 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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
English still white
Both are made from solaris.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Kisi
Kisi 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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
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 less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
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 less oaky.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Viognier 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.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Maria Gomes
Maria Gomes 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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pfalz 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.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Solaris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
English still white
Both are made from solaris.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.