If you like this, try…
Wines like English Bacchus
England’s signature still white: elderflower, nettle and grapefruit — often compared to Sauvignon Blanc, but its own thing. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about English Bacchus?
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 light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- 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.
Looking for something keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too perfumed, too green or grassy and too light or thin.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too perfumed. 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
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.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
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 riper and less green, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English Blanc de Noirs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedAnother light, high-acid, herbal white with a savoury edge.
Expect: Peppery and lentil-like rather than floral.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less 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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
English still white
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
English still white
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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 Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
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.