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 and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too peppery and too buttery or thick.

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 of Alexandria

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less buttery or thick.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Malagousia

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Gewürztraminer

curated

Both are full, low-acid, intensely aromatic whites.

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
More peppery, not less.
A little less buttery or thick.

Muscadelle

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.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Solaris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

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 of Alexandria

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

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

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 neutral and subtle.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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 of Alexandria

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

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

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 neutral and subtle.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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.

Scheurebe

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscadelle

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

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.

Scheurebe

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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 neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Kisi

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

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

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malagousia

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

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

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.

Muscadelle

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

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

Gewürztraminer

curated

Both are full, low-acid, intensely aromatic whites.

Expect: More overtly floral and spicy, and often with residual sugar.

Malagousia

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

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

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.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Prosecco

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more neutral and subtle.

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 neutral and subtle.

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.

Roussanne

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

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.

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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 of Alexandria

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

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

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 neutral and subtle.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

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

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

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.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

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.

Similar but more restrained

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

Malagousia

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

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

Muscadelle

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Solaris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

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 less floral.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Solaris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Alsace Riesling

Both come from the same country.

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

Pfalz Riesling

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

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

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.

Similar but fruitier

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

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.

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.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.

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.

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.

English Bacchus

English Bacchus scores closest to Viognier across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Something more adventurous

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 neutral and subtle.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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 of Alexandria

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

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

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 neutral and subtle.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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.

Albariño

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

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

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 neutral and subtle.

Australian Riesling

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

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

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.

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.