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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 tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too heavy, too alcoholic or warming and too buttery or thick.

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.

Petite Arvine

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Gros Manseng

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Alsace Riesling

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Valais Petite Arvine

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Verdelho

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Riesling

curated

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less heavy.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Grillo

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spätlese

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

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

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

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.

Pedro Ximénez

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

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

Austrian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

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 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.

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

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

Brda Rebula

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

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.

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher.

Similar but softer

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

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.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malagousia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

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

Austrian Sekt

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

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

English sparkling wine

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

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

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.

Grillo

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

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

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.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Moscato d’Asti

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

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.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

White Bordeaux

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 more aromatic

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

Torrontés

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

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 drier.

Sercial

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

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

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.

Šipon

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.

Scheurebe

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Valais Petite Arvine

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

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 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 fruitier, and more aromatic.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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.

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Valais Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Valais Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.