If you like this, try…
Wines like Trockenbeerenauslese
The highest Prädikat: shrivelled, fully botrytised berries picked individually, producing one of the most concentrated wines made anywhere. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Trockenbeerenauslese?
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 alcoholic or warming 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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sweet.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- A little less heavy.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sweet as the wine you started from.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- 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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Sauternes
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Sauternes
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.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Tokaji Aszú
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Tokaji Aszú
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 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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
Both are made from riesling, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Trockenbeerenauslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Trockenbeerenauslese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Sauternes
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.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Sauternes
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 restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Tokaji Aszú
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Sauternes
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Canadian Icewine
Both are made from riesling.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Eiswein
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Auslese
Both are made from riesling, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Beerenauslese
Both are made from riesling, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Tokaji Aszú
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.
Sauternes
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.
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.