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 sweet, too perfumed, too alcoholic or warming and too buttery or thick.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less buttery or thick.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sweet.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less buttery or thick.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
Vin de Constance scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- About as alcoholic or warming 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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 more neutral and subtle.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
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.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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 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.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
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.
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 more neutral and subtle.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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 softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Vin de Constance
Vin de Constance scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 lighter in alcohol.
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 drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from grüner veltliner.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
English Blanc de Noirs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Vin de Constance
Vin de Constance scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Vin de Constance
Vin de Constance scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Alsace Riesling
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.
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.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 more aromatic.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Alsace Riesling
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.
Nahe Riesling
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
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.
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 sweeter.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
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 Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.