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 the full body and weight, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming, too sweet and too perfumed.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Müller-Thurgau
Müller-Thurgau scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Trebbiano Romagnolo scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Parellada
Parellada scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Kisi
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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Kisi
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.