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Wines like Austrian Riesling

Dry, stony, powerful Riesling from the terraced Danube — quite unlike German examples despite the shared grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Austrian 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.

I like…

The citrus and orchard fruit How fresh and crisp it is How full and weighty it is That it is not oaky The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too sharp or acidic too heavy too plain or too simple too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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.
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.
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.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, that the fruit is not covered in oak and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too sharp or acidic.

You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, 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.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Xarel·lo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Soave Classico

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

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.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Xarel·lo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Altesse

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Nahe Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Mosel Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Austrian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Austrian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Viognier

Viognier scores closest to Austrian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.

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.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Xarel·lo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Soave Classico

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Rkatsiteli

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Tsolikouri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Xarel·lo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Franciacorta

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.

Méthode Cap Classique

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.

California traditional-method sparkling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.

Cava

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Bual

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.

Grechetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Soave Classico

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Godello

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Fiano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Torrontés

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.

Xarel·lo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Altesse

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Torrontés

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Santorini Assyrtiko

Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Austrian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Vin Jaune

Vin Jaune scores closest to Austrian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Qvevri amber wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Austrian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.

Petit Manseng

Petit Manseng scores closest to Austrian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Nahe Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Alsace Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Nahe Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Alsace Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Australian Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Pinot Grigio

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

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.

Friulano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

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.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Australian Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

How these are chosen

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.