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 keeping the citrus and green-apple character and the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too sweet.
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.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less sweet.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less sweet.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Mosel Riesling
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and broader and softer.
Spätlese
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.
Kabinett
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Madeira
Madeira scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
Australian traditional-method sparkling scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
English Blanc de Noirs
English Blanc de Noirs scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Sekt
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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 broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Spätlese
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.
Furmint
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.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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 drier.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 broader and softer, and sweeter.
Spätlese
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.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and broader and softer.
Scheurebe
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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 broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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 broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
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.