If you like this, try…
Wines like Australian Riesling
Bone dry, intensely limey and steely — a category of its own, with almost nothing in common with German Riesling beyond the grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Australian Riesling?
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 citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- 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.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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 floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too floral or soapy.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Rheinhessen Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
Expect: A touch rounder and less overtly limey.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
Expect: A touch rounder and less overtly limey.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Trebbiano Spoletino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Altesse
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Bical
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Rheinhessen Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
Expect: A touch rounder and less overtly limey.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Etna Bianco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
Expect: A touch rounder and less overtly limey.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
Expect: A touch rounder and less overtly limey.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Australian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
Expect: A touch rounder and less overtly limey.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
Expect: A touch rounder and less overtly limey.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
curatedThe other great dry Riesling category.
Expect: A touch rounder and less overtly limey.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Rheingau Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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.