If you like this, try…
Wines like Eiswein
Grapes frozen on the vine and pressed while still frozen — pure, piercing fruit with none of botrytis’s honeyed character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Eiswein?
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 alcoholic or warming, too sweet and too buttery or thick.
- 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, both come from the same country.
- Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- A little less buttery or thick.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- A little less buttery or thick.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick 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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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
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.
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.
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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Canadian Icewine
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 lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Canadian Icewine
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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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 Eiswein 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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Austrian Sekt
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.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more sparkling.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
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, both come from the same country.
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 more oaky.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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
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 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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Canadian Icewine
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.
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 oaky.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
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 oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tokaji Aszú
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.
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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Canadian Icewine
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, both come from the same country.
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.
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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
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, both come from the same country.
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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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.
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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Canadian Icewine
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.
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, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Canadian Icewine
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.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.