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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.
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.
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 citrus and green-apple character, the savoury, non-fruity character and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too plain or too simple.
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.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rheingau 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 the citrus and green-apple character.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
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.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Chilean 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rheingau 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
South African 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Rheingau 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
South African 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Austrian Riesling across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less 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.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Trebbiano Spoletino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 softer and rounder, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Corpinnat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Rheingau 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
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 more aromatic.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
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 less oaky.
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 more savoury, and less oaky.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
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 fruitier.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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)
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rheingau 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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 less oaky, and softer and rounder.
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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)
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rheingau 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and softer and rounder.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rheingau 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 less 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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Rheingau 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
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.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Rheingau 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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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.