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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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too heavy, too plain or too simple and too alcoholic or warming.

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.

White Bordeaux

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less heavy.
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.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Valais Petite Arvine

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Rheinhessen Riesling

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Rheingau Riesling

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Rueda Verdejo

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less heavy.
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.

White Bordeaux

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 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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

White Bordeaux

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 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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alpine white

Alpine white scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Loureiro

Loureiro 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.

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 less oaky.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Viognier

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

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

Pedro Ximénez

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

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

Vin Santo

Vin Santo scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

White Bordeaux

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 less oaky.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Istrian Malvazija

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Brda Rebula

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fresher

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

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 more neutral and subtle, 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.

Similar but softer

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

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

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Champagne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sekt

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

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

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Méthode Cap Classique

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.

White Bordeaux

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 less oaky, and drier.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

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 less oaky.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moscatel de Setúbal

Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

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 more aromatic, and less oaky.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.

Similar but more restrained

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

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.

New Zealand Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.

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 more aromatic, and less oaky.

Albariño

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Sancerre

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

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.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Valais Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.

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 more aromatic.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more aromatic.

Muscat of Alexandria

Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.

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 less oaky, and drier.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Albariño

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Rheinhessen Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Rheinhessen Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

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.