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Wines like Canadian Icewine

Intensely sweet wine from grapes picked and pressed while naturally frozen on the vine. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Canadian Icewine?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The tropical fruit That it is not too strong How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture How aromatic it is The touch of sweetness

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too alcoholic or warming too heavy too buttery or thick too perfumed too sweet

Clear all

What these words mean

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.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
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.
The creamy, rounded texture: A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
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.
The touch of sweetness: Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.

Looking for something keeping the touch of sweetness, while moving away from too buttery or thick, too perfumed and too alcoholic or warming.

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.

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Keeps the touch of sweetness.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the touch of sweetness.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Keeps the touch of sweetness.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Eiswein

curated

The same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.

Keeps the touch of sweetness.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
More alcoholic or warming, not less.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the touch of sweetness.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the touch of sweetness.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

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.

Eiswein

curated

The same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.

Expect: German Eiswein is rarer, made in fewer vintages, and usually higher in acid.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Eiswein

curated

The same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.

Expect: German Eiswein is rarer, made in fewer vintages, and usually higher in acid.

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling.

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

Tokaji Aszú

Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Madeira

Madeira scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

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.

Eiswein

curated

The same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.

Expect: German Eiswein is rarer, made in fewer vintages, and usually higher in acid.

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

Tokaji Aszú

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.

The sparkling version

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

Sekt

Both are made from riesling.

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

Austrian Sekt

Both are made from riesling.

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

Champagne

Champagne scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

English Blanc de Noirs

English Blanc de Noirs scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

Petit Manseng scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Petite Arvine

Petite Arvine scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Eiswein

curated

The same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.

Expect: German Eiswein is rarer, made in fewer vintages, and usually higher in acid.

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more restrained

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Szamorodni

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

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

Coteaux du Layon

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more savoury

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

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tokaji Aszú

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Eiswein

curated

The same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.

Expect: German Eiswein is rarer, made in fewer vintages, and usually higher in acid.

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Eiswein

curated

The same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.

Expect: German Eiswein is rarer, made in fewer vintages, and usually higher in acid.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Eiswein

curated

The same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.

Expect: German Eiswein is rarer, made in fewer vintages, and usually higher in acid.

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.

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

Tokaji Aszú

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Tokaji Aszú

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sauternes

curated

A comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.

Expect: Sauternes gets its concentration from botrytis, which adds a savoury, marmalade character icewine does not have.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.