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 that it is not too alcoholic and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too sweet.
- You said you like that it is not too alcoholic and that it is too alcoholic or warming. 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.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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.
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
Kabinett 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 drier.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Riesling
curatedThe 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.
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.
Kabinett
Kabinett 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 sweeter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Oloroso sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 lighter.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Auslese
Auslese scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
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 drier.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
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 neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, and fresher.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
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.