If you like this, try…
Wines like Sauternes
The benchmark botrytised sweet wine: honey, apricot and saffron, held together by piercing acidity. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Sauternes?
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.
- 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.
- 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 vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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 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 keeping the touch of sweetness, while moving away from too peppery, too sweet and too oaky or woody.
- 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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sweet.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Tokaji Aszú
curatedThe other great botrytised wine tradition, with the same honeyed intensity and acidity.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- More peppery, not less.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 less oaky, and spicier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Sauternes across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Albana
Albana scores closest to Sauternes across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Sauternes across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Champagne
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Moscato d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Muscadelle
Both are made from muscadelle, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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.
Canadian Icewine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Eiswein
Eiswein scores closest to Sauternes across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
Canadian Icewine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Szamorodni
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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 spicier.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
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 more oaky, and spicier.
Tokaji Aszú
curatedThe other great botrytised wine tradition, with the same honeyed intensity and acidity.
Expect: More orange peel and a smoky, savoury edge, with even higher acidity.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wines from around the Neusiedlersee at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, but often excellent value.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.