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 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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- 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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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
Trebbiano Romagnolo scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Müller-Thurgau
Müller-Thurgau scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Parellada
Parellada scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 spicier.
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 spicier.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
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 in alcohol, and lighter.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
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 softer and rounder.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more savoury.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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 drier, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
White Burgundy
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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.