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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, the citrus and green-apple character and that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like the citrus and green-apple character and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about fruit intensity, 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.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Trockenbeerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Auslese
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.
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 more aromatic, and fruitier.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Kabinett
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
Loureiro
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.
Eiswein
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.
Mosel 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 lighter.
Kabinett
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 lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 stronger and warmer.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Spoletino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
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 stronger and warmer.
Vin de Constance
Vin de Constance scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
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.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more sparkling.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Finger Lakes Riesling
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 drier.
Kabinett
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.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Mosel 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 lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Auslese
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.
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 broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Nahe Riesling
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 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 broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Kabinett
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 lighter.
Mosel 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 lighter.
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 broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Ice wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
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.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Auslese
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.
Eiswein
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.
Auslese
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, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Riesling
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel 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 lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Auslese
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.
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.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Auslese
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.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Mosel 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 lighter.
Australian Riesling
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 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.