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 tropical, exotic fruit and the touch of sweetness, while moving away from too sweet.
- 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.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of the touch of sweetness, 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 tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- 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.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- 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.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- 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.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- 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.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as sweet 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.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.
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 more oaky.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
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.
Moscato d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Mosel Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
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.
Mosel Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and 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 stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 more oaky.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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 spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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 more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.
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 de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 sweeter.
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.
Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Moscato d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and stiller.
Sekt
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 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 spicier, and broader and softer.
Moscato d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Spätlese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
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 spicier.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
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 less oaky.
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 less oaky.
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 spicier, and less floral.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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 less floral.
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 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
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 sweeter.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
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 softer and rounder.
Moscato d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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 spicier, and more savoury.
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 more oaky.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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 spicier, and broader and softer.
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 more oaky.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Beerenauslese
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.
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 more oaky.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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 spicier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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 spicier, and broader and softer.
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 more oaky.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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 spicier, and broader and softer.
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 more oaky.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
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.