If you like this, try…
Wines like Vinsanto (Santorini)
Sun-dried Assyrtiko from Santorini, aged oxidatively for years — intensely sweet with the island’s trademark acidity. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Vinsanto (Santorini)?
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.
- 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 creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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 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.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- 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 savoury, non-fruity character and the touch of sweetness, while moving away from too heavy.
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.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- A little less heavy.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less heavy.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has noticeably less of the touch of sweetness.
- Substantially less heavy.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the touch of sweetness, though less of it.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- A little less heavy.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- A little less heavy.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the touch of sweetness.
- A little less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Auslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
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.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Vin Santo
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 drier.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Méthode Cap Classique
Méthode Cap Classique scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
English Blanc de Noirs
English Blanc de Noirs scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
California traditional-method sparkling
California traditional-method sparkling scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Szamorodni
Szamorodni scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Beerenauslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Vin Santo
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 drier.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Vin Santo
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 drier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
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 more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Vin Santo
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 drier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Tokaji Aszú
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Sauternes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
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.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Vin Santo
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 drier.
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.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Vin Santo
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 drier.
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.