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 how light and easy it feels and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too green or grassy.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Rheingau Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Nahe Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
English still white
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 riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Ortega
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 fuller and richer.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
Both sit in the same style family.
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.
English still white
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedAnother light, high-acid, herbal white with a savoury edge.
Expect: Peppery and lentil-like rather than floral.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
English still white
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 riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Rheingau Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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.
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.
English still white
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 riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe reference point most drinkers already know.
Expect: Far more tropical and pungent, and fuller in body.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to English Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more restrained in fruit.
English still white
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 riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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.