If you like this, try…
Wines like Recioto della Valpolicella
The sweet original from which Amarone accidentally descended — dried Corvina grapes, fermentation stopped early. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Recioto della Valpolicella?
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- 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 buttery or thick.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Trockenbeerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as buttery or thick 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
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.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
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.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more sparkling.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more sparkling.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more sparkling.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Madeira
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 drier, and fresher.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
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.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Trockenbeerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
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 less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Alsace Riesling
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Tokaji Aszú
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
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.