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 tropical or sweet-smelling 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less sweet.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less sweet.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and more aromatic.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 sweeter, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 drier, and stronger and warmer.
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 sweeter, and fruitier.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Albana
Albana scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more sparkling.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
English Blanc de Noirs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
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 more neutral and subtle.
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 less spicy.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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 softer and rounder.
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 fruitier, and more aromatic.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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 softer and rounder, and less oaky.
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 sweeter, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 sweeter.
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 sweeter, and more aromatic.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 more neutral and subtle.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 drier, and less spicy.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Dry Furmint
Both are made from furmint, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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 drier, and lighter.
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 fruitier, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
curatedBotrytised wine from the neighbouring Pannonian basin.
Expect: Lighter and less complex, at lower prices.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.