If you like this, try…
Wines like Orange (skin-contact) wine
White grapes fermented on their skins, producing amber-coloured wine with tannin and savoury character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Orange (skin-contact) 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
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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 earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, the full body and weight and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too earthy or musty.
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.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Friuli white
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Friuli white
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Rkatsiteli
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Etna Bianco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Etna Bianco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Carricante
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Juhfark
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
Dalmatian Plavac Mali scores closest to Orange (skin-contact) wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Orange (skin-contact) wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Orange (skin-contact) wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Corpinnat
Corpinnat scores closest to Orange (skin-contact) wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Orange (skin-contact) wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Madeira
Both are made from malvasia.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Kisi
Both are made from kisi, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more fruit-driven.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Friuli white
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more fruit-driven.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more fruit-driven.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Kisi
Both are made from kisi, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Friuli white
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Rkatsiteli
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ribolla Gialla
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Kisi
Both are made from kisi, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Friuli white
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Friuli white
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Qvevri amber wine
Both are made from rkatsiteli, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Friuli white
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
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.