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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 moving away from too buttery or thick, too heavy and too sweet.

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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.

Riesling

curated

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

Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.

Vinho Verde

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

Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.

Colombard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.

Nahe Riesling

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

Substantially less buttery or thick.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Vinho Verde

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

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

Colombard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Vinho Verde

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

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

Colombard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 lighter, and drier.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vinho Verde

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

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

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Vinho Verde

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.

Ribolla Gialla

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Vinho Verde

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

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

Colombard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Brda Rebula

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fresher

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Vinho Verde

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

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

Colombard

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Loureiro

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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 drier.

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.

Antão Vaz

Antão Vaz scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and stronger and warmer.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and stronger and warmer.

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 stronger and warmer, and more sparkling.

Crémant

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more sparkling.

English sparkling wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more sparkling.

Austrian Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more sparkling.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Hunter Valley Semillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Vinho Verde

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

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

Kabinett

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

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

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Moscato d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Asti

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

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

Auslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.

Bual

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

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.

White Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Melon de Bourgogne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Muscadet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Colombard

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.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Pouilly-Fumé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Muscadet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Chablis

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fruitier

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and stronger and warmer.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

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.

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.

Vinho Verde

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

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

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.

Australian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Something more adventurous

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Colombard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Colombard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Australian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Chablis

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

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.