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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.

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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.

I like…

The tropical fruit That it is not too strong How full and weighty it is The spice How aromatic it is The touch of sweetness

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too alcoholic or warming too heavy too peppery too perfumed 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.
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 keeping the peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too sweet and too alcoholic or warming.

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.

Vin Santo

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Sauternes

curated

The other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Vin de Constance

Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Szamorodni

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

Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Auslese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

curated

Botrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
About as sweet as the wine you started from.
About as alcoholic or warming 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.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.

Sauternes

curated

The other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.

Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sauternes

curated

The other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.

Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

curated

Botrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.

Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.

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.

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.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

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

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

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

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

Auslese

Auslese scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

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 less spicy.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Marsala

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Oloroso sherry

Oloroso sherry scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

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 less spicy, and broader and softer.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin de Constance

Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

The sparkling version

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

Asti

Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Vouvray

Vouvray scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Champagne

Champagne scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Australian traditional-method sparkling

Australian traditional-method sparkling scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gewürztraminer

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Beerenauslese

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Gewürztraminer

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trockenbeerenauslese

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sauternes

curated

The other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.

Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.

California Chardonnay

California Chardonnay scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Vin de Constance

Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sauternes

curated

The other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.

Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.

Similar but more restrained

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gewürztraminer

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

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

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but more savoury

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

Madeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Vin Jaune

Vin Jaune scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sauternes

curated

The other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.

Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.

Vin de Constance

Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Santo

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

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

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.

Vin de Constance

Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

curated

Botrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.

Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

curated

Botrytised 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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Vin de Constance

Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

curated

Botrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.

Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.

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.

Sauternes

curated

The other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.

Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.

Something more adventurous

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

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin de Constance

Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Vin Santo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

curated

Botrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.

Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.

A step up

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

Sauternes

curated

The other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.

Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.

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.