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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, the tropical, exotic fruit and the touch of sweetness, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about aromatic intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about acidity, 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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
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 aromatic, and fruitier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 aromatic, and fruitier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Eiswein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Moscato d’Asti
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic, and fruitier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
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.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Moscatel de Setúbal
Moscatel de Setúbal scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
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.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Sauternes
curatedThe other great botrytised tradition, with the same honeyed intensity.
Expect: Rounder and less smoky, with lower acidity.
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 softer and rounder, and drier.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more sparkling.
Moscato d’Asti
Both are made from muscat blanc à petits grains.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Tokaji Aszú across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Szamorodni
Both are made from furmint, and 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 drier, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
Both are made from hárslevelű, and 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.
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 aromatic, and fruitier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Eiswein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 drier, and softer and rounder.
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.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
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 more aromatic, and fruitier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, 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.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 drier, 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.
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 aromatic, and fruitier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 aromatic, and fruitier.
Trockenbeerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Canadian Icewine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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.