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.
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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 citrus and green-apple character, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too light or thin.
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.
Austrian Riesling
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.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Sancerre
curatedThe restrained, mineral end of Sauvignon Blanc, which Bacchus is most often compared to.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less light or thin.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe reference point most drinkers already know.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less light or thin.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Sancerre
curatedThe restrained, mineral end of Sauvignon Blanc, which Bacchus is most often compared to.
Expect: More flint and blackcurrant leaf, with more weight and a longer finish.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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.
Jacquère
Jacquère 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.
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.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English Blanc de Noirs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 floral, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Sancerre
curatedThe restrained, mineral end of Sauvignon Blanc, which Bacchus is most often compared to.
Expect: More flint and blackcurrant leaf, with more weight and a longer finish.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe reference point most drinkers already know.
Expect: Far more tropical and pungent, and fuller in body.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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 less floral.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 floral.
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 floral.
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 less 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.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe reference point most drinkers already know.
Expect: Far more tropical and pungent, and fuller in body.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sancerre
curatedThe restrained, mineral end of Sauvignon Blanc, which Bacchus is most often compared to.
Expect: More flint and blackcurrant leaf, with more weight and a longer finish.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.