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.

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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 that it is not too alcoholic and the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too sweet and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like that it is not too alcoholic and that it is too alcoholic or warming. Both are about alcohol, 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.

Alsace Riesling

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

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

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 that it is not too alcoholic.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Nahe Riesling

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Rheingau Riesling

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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 that it is not too alcoholic.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Gros Manseng

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

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Austrian Riesling

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

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Valais Petite Arvine

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

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Nahe 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Rheingau 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Valais Petite Arvine

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

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 lighter in alcohol.

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.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more restrained in fruit.

Mosel Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

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 lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

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.

Kabinett

Both are made from riesling, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Mosel Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Nahe 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malagousia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Soave Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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, both come from the same country.

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

Austrian Sekt

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

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

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

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Alsace Riesling

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Nahe 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Rheingau 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but sweeter

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

Auslese

Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Coteaux du Layon

Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Spätlese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

Bual

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gewürztraminer

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Verdelho

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

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fiano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Similar but more floral

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

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gewürztraminer

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.

Nahe 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Rheingau 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more savoury

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

Alsace Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Valais Petite Arvine

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Austrian Riesling

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

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

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 sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Finger Lakes Riesling

Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Nahe 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Rheingau 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

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.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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 drier, 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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

English Bacchus

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Nahe 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Rheingau 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Alsace Riesling

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

Nahe 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

Rheingau 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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.

A step up

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

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.