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.
Refine
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 moving away from too peppery.
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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as peppery 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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
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 more neutral and subtle.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
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 more neutral and subtle.
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.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less oaky.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Austrian botrytis sweet wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
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 spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more floral.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Méthode Cap Classique
Méthode Cap Classique scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
English Blanc de Noirs
English Blanc de Noirs scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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 less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Beerenauslese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
Auslese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Szamorodni
Szamorodni scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 spicier, and less oaky.
Eiswein
Eiswein scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
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 less spicy, 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 spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vin Santo
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 drier.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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 spicier, and more fruit-driven.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Fino and Manzanilla sherry scores closest to Vinsanto (Santorini) across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauternes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
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.
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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
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 more neutral and subtle.
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.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
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 more neutral and subtle.
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.