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 the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too plain or too simple and too sweet.
- You said you like that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is too plain or too simple. Both are about oak influence, 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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- 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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 stronger and warmer.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 stronger and warmer.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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 less oaky, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less 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 less oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Oloroso sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Brda Rebula
Brda Rebula scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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 savoury.
Auslese
Auslese scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from vidal, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
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 stronger and warmer.
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 less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
South African Chenin Blanc
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 stronger and warmer.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
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.