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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too plain or too simple and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
Both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 more savoury, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 lighter.
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 less oaky, and more aromatic.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
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 softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Oloroso sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more savoury, and less spicy.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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 more savoury.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Auslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Oloroso sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
English Blanc de Noirs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 more savoury, and less spicy.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 more savoury, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
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 less oaky.
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 more aromatic, and less oaky.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more savoury, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less 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.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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 more savoury, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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 more savoury, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
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.