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 keeping that it is properly dry, while moving away from too sharp or lemony and too savoury or funky.
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.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Müller-Thurgau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
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.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Rkatsiteli
curatedGeorgia’s other principal white, and the natural comparison within the country.
Expect: Rkatsiteli is higher in acidity and more often made in qvevri.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Prosecco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Solaris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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 fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rkatsiteli
curatedGeorgia’s other principal white, and the natural comparison within the country.
Expect: Rkatsiteli is higher in acidity and more often made in qvevri.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Retsina
Retsina scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Franken Silvaner
Franken Silvaner scores closest to Tsolikouri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
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 sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
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 fresher.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
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.