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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.

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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.

I like…

The tropical fruit That it is not too strong How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture That it is not oaky How aromatic it is

But it’s a bit…

too alcoholic or warming too heavy too buttery or thick too plain or too simple too perfumed too sweet

Clear all

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 that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too buttery or thick, too heavy and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like that it is not too alcoholic and that it is too alcoholic or warming. Both are about alcohol, 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.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Gros Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Verdelho

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Alsace Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Valais Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Nahe Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Riesling

curated

The other icewine variety in the same region, and the point of comparison Canadian producers themselves use.

Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

Gros Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Verdelho

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Alsace Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

Gros Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Verdelho

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Alsace Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.

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.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Riesling

curated

The other icewine variety in the same region, and the point of comparison Canadian producers themselves use.

Expect: Riesling icewine is more precise and ages far longer.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Colombard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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

Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Mosel Riesling

Mosel Riesling scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Kabinett

Kabinett scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Riesling

curated

The other icewine variety in the same region, and the point of comparison Canadian producers themselves use.

Expect: Riesling icewine is more precise and ages far longer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Viognier

Viognier scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

Gros Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Verdelho

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Alsace Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter in alcohol.

Brda Rebula

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Trebbiano Spoletino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Rkatsiteli

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

Gros Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Alsace Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Auxerrois

Auxerrois scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Malvasia

Malvasia scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Alsace Pinot Gris

Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

California Chardonnay

California Chardonnay scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sekt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.

Crémant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.

English sparkling wine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.

Austrian Sekt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Šipon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Arinto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Brda Rebula

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Coteaux du Layon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Asti

Asti scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Auslese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

White Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Sauvignon Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Torrontés

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Verdelho

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Šipon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Arinto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Brda Rebula

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Torrontés

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Alsace Riesling

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.

Pouilly-Fumé

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Carricante

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Juhfark

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Etna Bianco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Riesling

curated

The other icewine variety in the same region, and the point of comparison Canadian producers themselves use.

Expect: Riesling icewine is more precise and ages far longer.

Australian Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Albariño

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

Gros Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Verdelho

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Alsace Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.

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.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

Gros Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Verdelho

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Alsace Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Australian Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Albariño

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Rías Baixas Albariño

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

How these are chosen

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.