If you like this, try…

Wines like Viognier

A full-bodied, apricot-and-honeysuckle-scented Rhône variety that nearly disappeared in the 1960s. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Viognier

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What do you like about Viognier?

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 How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture The floral character How aromatic it is

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too heavy too buttery or thick too floral or soapy too peppery too perfumed

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.
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.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
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 spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.

Looking for something keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too buttery or thick and too peppery.

You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about acidity, 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.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less peppery.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less peppery.

Malagousia

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less peppery.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less peppery.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less peppery.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less peppery.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less peppery.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less peppery.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

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.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Vidal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.

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 more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Friuli white

Friuli white scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fresher

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but softer

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

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.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.

Condrieu

Both are made from viognier, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Pedro Ximénez

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.

The sparkling version

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

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Prosecco

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Moscatel de Setúbal

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Malagousia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.

Coteaux du Layon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Coteaux du Layon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Pfalz Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Rheinhessen Riesling scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Austrian Riesling

Austrian Riesling scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Soave Classico

Soave Classico scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Condrieu

Both are made from viognier, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Condrieu

Both are made from viognier, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

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.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable body and texture in a far more widely available variety.

Expect: Much less aromatic, with citrus and oak in place of apricot and blossom.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Australian Chardonnay

Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

German dry Riesling (trocken) scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Something more adventurous

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

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.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

German dry Riesling (trocken) scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Rías Baixas Albariño

Rías Baixas Albariño scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

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.