If you like this, try…

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.

← Back to Austrian Riesling

Refine

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 that the fruit is not covered in oak and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too heavy.

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.

Nahe Riesling

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less heavy.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less heavy.

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less heavy.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less heavy.

Alsace Riesling

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less heavy.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less heavy.

Carricante

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less heavy.

Juhfark

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Nahe 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 sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Carricante

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

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

Juhfark

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

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

Arinto

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

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

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

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.

Albariño

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

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

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

Arinto

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

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

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

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.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Nahe 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 sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

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 fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Nahe 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 leaner and more cutting, and sweeter.

Rkatsiteli

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.

Ribolla Gialla

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

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

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.

Nahe 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 sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Ribolla Gialla

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 broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Altesse

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

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

Xarel·lo

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

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

Grechetto

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

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

Friulano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

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

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

Austrian 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 more oaky, and more sparkling.

Champagne

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

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.

Similar but sweeter

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

Alsace 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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Nahe 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 fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

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

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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

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

Verdicchio

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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 herbal and green.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.

Moschofilero

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Cortese

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

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

Muscadet

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Melon de Bourgogne

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Carricante

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Alsace 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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more neutral and subtle.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Qvevri amber wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fruitier

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

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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 herbal and green.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Coteaux du Layon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more 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.

Nahe 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 sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Nahe 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 sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Alsace 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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Nahe 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 restrained in fruit, and sweeter.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Alsace 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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.

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.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Vinho Verde

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Sancerre

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 herbal and green.

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, both sit in the same style family.

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

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Alsace 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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.

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, both sit in the same style family.

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

Spätlese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Alsace 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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.

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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Chablis

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

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

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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.