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 keeping the touch of sweetness and the full body and weight, while moving away from too sweet.
- You said you like the touch of sweetness and that it is too sweet. Both are about sweetness, 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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less sweet.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- More sweet, not less.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- More sweet, not less.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- More sweet, not less.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- More sweet, not less.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Austrian botrytis sweet wine scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- More sweet, not less.
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- More sweet, not less.
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 stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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 stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Austrian botrytis sweet wine scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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.
Spätlese
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, and more floral.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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 stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more savoury.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
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 stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Vin de Constance
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 lighter, and drier.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Spätlese
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 lighter, and more floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Sauternes
Sauternes scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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 stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin de Constance
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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 stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
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 fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
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 stronger and warmer, and more savoury.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Spätlese
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 lighter, and more floral.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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 stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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 sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Sauternes
Sauternes scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.