If you like this, try…
Wines like Vidal
A thick-skinned hybrid that made Canadian icewine possible. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Vidal?
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.
- 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.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- 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 touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something moving away from too perfumed.
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more savoury.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more savoury.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more savoury.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more savoury.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
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 drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
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.