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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 moving away from too heavy, too sweet 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.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Auslese

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less sweet.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Vin Santo

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

More heavy, not less.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Eiswein

curated

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

Substantially less heavy.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
More alcoholic or warming, not less.

Sauternes

curated

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

More heavy, not less.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

More heavy, not less.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

More heavy, not less.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

More heavy, not less.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Auslese

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

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

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 lighter in alcohol, 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.

Vidal

Both are made from vidal, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

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 spicier.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

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 fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Malvasia

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

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

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marsala

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Auslese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

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.

Similar but softer

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

Austrian Sekt

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Champagne

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Franciacorta

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bual

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

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling.

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

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

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.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more restrained

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

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

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 fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Gewürztraminer

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

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Bual

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more savoury.

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 lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

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.

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 lighter in alcohol, 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.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling.

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

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 lighter in alcohol, 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.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling.

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

Alsace Riesling

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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 in alcohol, 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.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling.

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

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.

Something more adventurous

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

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Auslese

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

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

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.

Szamorodni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Auslese

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

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

A step up

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

Tokaji Aszú

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

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

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.