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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 and too sweet.

You said you like the touch of sweetness and that it is too sweet. Both are about sweetness, 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.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less sweet.

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 sweet as the wine you started from.

Szamorodni

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

Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less sweet.

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 sweet as the wine you started from.

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 sweet as the wine you started from.

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 sweet.

Trockenbeerenauslese

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 sweet as the wine you started from.

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

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 sweet 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.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Mosel Riesling

Both are made from riesling.

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

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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mosel Riesling

Both are made from riesling.

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

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Recioto della Valpolicella

Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Albana

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

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Tokaji Aszú

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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 leaner and more cutting.

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Austrian Sekt

Both are made from riesling.

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

Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

Bual

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.

Spätlese

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

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

Moscato d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

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.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Trockenbeerenauslese

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Trockenbeerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Bual

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.

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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.

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.

Similar but more savoury

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

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tokaji Aszú

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Trockenbeerenauslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Trockenbeerenauslese

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less oaky.

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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Trockenbeerenauslese

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Beerenauslese

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

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

Trockenbeerenauslese

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

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

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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Something more adventurous

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Eiswein

curated

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Beerenauslese

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

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

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.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 sweeter, 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.

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.