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 tropical or sweet-smelling, too buttery or thick 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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed 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 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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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.
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 fruitier.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Mosel 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 lighter.
Kabinett
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
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 lighter.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mosel 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 lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Kabinett
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
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.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
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 fruitier.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Ribolla Gialla
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vin de Constance
Vin de Constance scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more sparkling.
English Blanc de Noirs
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more sparkling.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, 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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 more oaky.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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
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
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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
Vin de Constance scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Alsace Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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 fruitier, and more aromatic.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 more aromatic, and fruitier.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Nahe Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, 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 leaner and more cutting, and drier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 leaner and more cutting, and drier.
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 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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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.