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 keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too perfumed.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- 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.
Avesso
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 stronger and warmer.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Avesso
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 stronger and warmer.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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 softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more savoury.
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.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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 softer and rounder, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and stronger and warmer.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
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 softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Australian 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.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Avesso
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 stronger and warmer.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Avesso
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 stronger and warmer.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Avesso
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 stronger and warmer.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
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.