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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 the fruit is not covered in oak and the full body and weight, while moving away from too heavy and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. 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.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
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.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
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.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Grillo

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
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.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Friulano

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Torrontés

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Pecorino

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
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.

Petite Arvine

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

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

Verdelho

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Grillo

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Verdelho

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Grillo

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

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

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.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Müller-Thurgau

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.

Petite Arvine

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Pedro Ximénez

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

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

Condrieu

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Viognier

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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.

Friulano

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Grechetto

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

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

Xarel·lo

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

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

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 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 drier.

Kisi

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

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

Albana

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

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, and leaner and more cutting.

Nahe Riesling

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.

Malvasia

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

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

Auxerrois

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

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Clairette

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

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

Friulano

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

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

Grillo

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

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

Palomino Fino

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Bual

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

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

Coteaux du Layon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Pedro Ximénez

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

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

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Verdicchio

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 drier, and more floral.

Scheurebe

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

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Gewürztraminer

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Verdelho

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

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

Friulano

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

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

Sercial

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

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

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 floral, and drier.

Scheurebe

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

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Friulano

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

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

Palomino Fino

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

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

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Sercial

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Petit Manseng

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

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

Gewürztraminer

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Australian Riesling

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

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

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.

Pinot Grigio

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Verdelho

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Grillo

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Verdelho

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Grillo

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

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

A step up

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

Australian Riesling

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

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.