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 keeping the peppery, spicy character, how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too peppery.
- You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, 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 wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less peppery.
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 wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Moscato d’Asti
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
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 more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more floral.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Moscato d’Asti
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sauternes
curatedThe 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 stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
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.
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more fruit-driven.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Sauternes
curatedThe 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.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more fruit-driven.
Asti
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.
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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.
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.
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more floral.
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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised 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 more neutral and subtle.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
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.
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more floral.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more floral.
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 wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more floral.
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.