If you like this, try…
Wines like Ice wine
Wine pressed from grapes frozen on the vine, where the ice is discarded and only concentrated juice is fermented. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Ice wine?
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 moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too perfumed.
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.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
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.
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 oaky.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
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.
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.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
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 broader and softer.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
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 more oaky, and more savoury.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from grüner veltliner.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
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 more savoury, and broader and softer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
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.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
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.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
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.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Austrian Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Nahe Riesling
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 drier.
Rheingau Riesling
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 drier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Pfalz Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
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.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Tokaji Aszú
Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
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.