If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 moving away from too sweet, too plain or too simple, too peppery and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
- More sweet, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More sweet, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- More sweet, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
- More sweet, not less.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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.
Mosel 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 oaky, and less spicy.
Kabinett
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 oaky, and drier.
Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 sweeter, and less oaky.
Mosel 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 oaky, and less spicy.
Kabinett
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 oaky, and drier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Friuli white
Friuli white scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Vin de Constance
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Pfalz 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 oaky, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
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 oaky, and drier.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
English Blanc de Noirs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Rheingau 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 drier, and less oaky.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Sekt
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 drier, and less oaky.
Pfalz 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 drier, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Sauternes
Sauternes scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Vin de Constance
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Vin de Constance
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Mosel 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 oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Sauternes
Sauternes scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Sekt
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 oaky, and drier.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
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 drier, and less oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.