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 that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too buttery or thick, too plain or too simple 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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- 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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- 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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Rheingau 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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- 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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Riesling
curatedThe 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.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
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 less oaky.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and sweeter.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Dry Furmint
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 structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
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 softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
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.
Pošip
Pošip scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Roussanne
Roussanne scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and sweeter.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Dry Furmint
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Dry Furmint
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.
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 less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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 less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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.