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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 the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, the tropical, exotic fruit and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too buttery or thick.

You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about texture, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about acidity, 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.

Riesling

curated

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

Has noticeably less of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Petite Arvine

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Nahe Riesling

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Gros Manseng

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Rheingau Riesling

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Alsace Riesling

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Valais Petite Arvine

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

Petite Arvine

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

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

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.

Petite Arvine

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

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

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Gros Manseng

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

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

Rheingau Riesling

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

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

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.

Kabinett

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

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

Mosel Riesling

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

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

Loureiro

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

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

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.

Mosel Riesling

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

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

Kabinett

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from vidal, and both come from the same country.

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

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, and stronger and warmer.

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Gros Manseng

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

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

Rheingau Riesling

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

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

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 drier.

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fresher

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

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Australian Riesling

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

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

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malagousia

Malagousia 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.

Roussanne

Roussanne 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.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

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

Sekt

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

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

Austrian Sekt

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

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

Champagne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Albariño

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 leaner and more cutting, and drier.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Falanghina

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Coteaux du Layon

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

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

Auslese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from vidal, and both come from the same country.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 less oaky.

Furmint

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.

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 more neutral and subtle.

Dry Furmint

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Verdelho

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.

English still white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Colombard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more floral

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

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.

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

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 more restrained in fruit, and drier.

Valais Petite Arvine

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

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

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Rheingau Riesling

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Spätlese

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

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

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 fruitier, 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.

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.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

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, and stronger and warmer.

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Gros Manseng

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

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

Rheingau Riesling

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

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

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, and stronger and warmer.

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Gros Manseng

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

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

Rheingau Riesling

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

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

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 neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tokaji Aszú

Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

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.