If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too heavy.
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.
Eiswein
curatedThe same method and the same idea, in the country where it began.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less heavy.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- A little less heavy.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- A little less heavy.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
curatedA comparably sweet and concentrated wine, reached by an entirely different route.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- More heavy, not less.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- A little less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Sauternes
curatedA 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.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.
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
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Moscato d’Asti
Moscato d’Asti scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
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
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Mosel Riesling
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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 stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
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
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Sekt
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sauternes
curatedA 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 stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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 aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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 stronger and warmer.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Canadian Icewine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Sauternes
curatedA 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.
Eiswein
curatedBoth are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Eiswein
curatedThe 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Sauternes
curatedA 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.
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.