If you like this, try…
Wines like Tokaji Aszú
Hungary’s great botrytised sweet wine, from a region classified before Bordeaux — honeyed, smoky and held up by ferocious acidity. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Tokaji Aszú?
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.
- 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 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 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.
- 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 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 heavy, too perfumed and too sweet.
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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less heavy.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Trockenbeerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less heavy.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
- More heavy, not less.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
Both sit in the same style family.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet 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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Trockenbeerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Eiswein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and stronger and warmer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Trockenbeerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Albana
Albana scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Madeira
Madeira scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
English Blanc de Noirs
English Blanc de Noirs scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Méthode Cap Classique
Méthode Cap Classique scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Furmint
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Hárslevelű
Both are made from hárslevelű, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Trockenbeerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
Furmint
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Hárslevelű
Both are made from hárslevelű, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
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 stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Furmint
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and stronger and warmer.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and stronger and warmer.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
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.