If you like this, try…

Wines like Spätlese

"Late harvest" — the second Prädikat level. Riper grapes than Kabinett, but not necessarily a sweeter wine. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Spätlese

Refine

What do you like about Spätlese?

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.

I like…

The tropical fruit The citrus and orchard fruit That it is not too strong How fresh and crisp it is That it is not oaky The floral character

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too sharp or lemony too alcoholic or warming too sharp or acidic too floral or soapy too sweet

Clear all

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.
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.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
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 floral, perfumed side, the tropical, exotic fruit and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too sharp or acidic.

You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, 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.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Kabinett

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Parellada

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

Mosel Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Kabinett

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and broader and softer.

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and broader and softer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Méthode Cap Classique

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Vin de Constance

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more floral.

Beerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.

Canadian Icewine

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Welschriesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Garganega

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Torrontés

Torrontés scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Moschofilero

Moschofilero scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Mantinia Moschofilero

Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

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.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Alsace Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Austrian Riesling

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Mosel Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Kabinett

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Austrian Riesling

Both are made from riesling.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

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.

Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Australian Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Mosel Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.

Pfalz Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Rheinhessen Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more restrained in fruit.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

White Burgundy

White Burgundy scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.

How these are chosen

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.