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.
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.
Riesling
curatedThe other icewine variety in the same region, and the point of comparison Canadian producers themselves use.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Ortega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Eiswein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 stronger and warmer.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Austrian Riesling
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.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and leaner and more cutting.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more aromatic.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more savoury.
Eiswein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
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 spicier.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
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.
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.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Vidal across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
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.