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Wines like Auslese

"Selected harvest" — individually selected very ripe bunches, often with some botrytis. Usually, though not always, sweet. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Auslese?

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 That it is not too strong How full and weighty it is That it is not oaky How aromatic it is The touch of sweetness

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too alcoholic or warming too plain or too simple too peppery too perfumed too sweet

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.
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.
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 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.
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 and that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too peppery.

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.

Beerenauslese

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
More alcoholic or warming, not less.
Substantially less peppery.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Szamorodni

Szamorodni scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less peppery.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Szamorodni

Szamorodni scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

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.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Alsace Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Malvasia

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

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

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but fresher

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

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Szamorodni

Szamorodni scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Similar but softer

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Malvasia

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Sekt

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Alsace Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Austrian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but sweeter

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

Pedro Ximénez

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Coteaux du Layon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Similar but more restrained

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Szamorodni

Szamorodni scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Austrian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more savoury

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

Szamorodni

Szamorodni scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Austrian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Similar but fruitier

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

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Austrian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Alsace Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Alsace Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Nahe Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

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.

Sauternes

Sauternes scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Something more adventurous

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

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

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.

Beerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Eiswein

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

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 Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Sauternes

Sauternes scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

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.