If you like this, try…
Wines like Tsolikouri
Western Georgia’s most planted white variety, used for both fresh modern whites and lighter Imeretian qvevri wines. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Tsolikouri?
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 citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- 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.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too sharp or lemony, too savoury or funky, too light or thin, too plain or too simple and too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Müller-Thurgau
Müller-Thurgau scores closest to Tsolikouri 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.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Dry Furmint
Dry Furmint scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Dry Furmint
Dry Furmint scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
German dry Riesling (trocken) scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Moscatel de Setúbal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Vernaccia di San Gimignano scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Friuli white
Friuli white scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Savagnin
Savagnin scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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 more savoury, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.