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 tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too peppery.
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.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less peppery.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less peppery.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- 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.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
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.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
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 spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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 less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Trockenbeerenauslese
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
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 spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and sweeter.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
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.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
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 softer and rounder, and less spicy.
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 more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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 less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and fresher.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.
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.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and more savoury.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
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 less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and sweeter.
Trockenbeerenauslese
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 spicier, and sweeter.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and lighter.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Eiswein
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 spicy, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.