I Like ___ — What Else Would I Like?
"I like this one — what else would I like?" is the single most-asked question at any wine counter, and for good reason. Once you've found a wine you genuinely enjoy, the fastest way to find your next favorite isn't luck — it's understanding what you actually liked about it in the first place. Here's how to answer that question for yourself, plus a cheat sheet to get you started.
Why this question actually has an answer
Liking a wine usually comes down to a small handful of traits: how heavy or light it feels (body), how much it dries out your mouth (tannin, mostly in reds), how mouthwatering or crisp it tastes (acidity), how much residual sugar it has (sweetness), and its core flavor family (fruit, herbal, earthy, oaky). Two wines made from completely different grapes can taste remarkably similar if they share enough of these traits — which is exactly why "if you like this, try that" works even across grape varieties and regions.
If you like — try
Here's a starting cheat sheet built around some of the most commonly poured wines.
| If you like | Try | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Pinot Grigio | Sauvignon Blanc | Same light body, high acidity, and citrus core — Sauvignon Blanc adds a grassy, herbal edge |
| Buttery, oaked Chardonnay | Viognier | Both full-bodied whites with soft acidity and a round, creamy texture |
| Moscato | Off-dry Riesling | Both aromatic and lightly sweet, but Riesling's acidity keeps it from feeling syrupy |
| Pinot Noir | Gamay (Beaujolais) | Light body, soft tannin, and bright red fruit — Gamay is even juicier and more casual |
| Merlot | Malbec | Similar medium body and soft, approachable tannin, with darker fruit and a touch more spice |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Syrah / Shiraz | Full body and firm tannin in common, but Syrah leans more peppery and smoky |
| Zinfandel | Grenache | Both jammy and fruit-forward with moderate tannin and a hint of spice |
| Sweet rosé (White Zinfandel) | Dry Provençal rosé | Same pink-fruit flavor family, minus the sugar — a natural next step toward drier wine |
| Prosecco | Cava or Brut Champagne | All sparkling with bright acidity, but these are drier and more toasty than Prosecco's fruity sweetness |
Rules of thumb for finding your own matches
Match the body first. Light-bodied wines feel similar in weight regardless of color — a light red and a light white can feel more alike than two reds of very different weights.
Match the tannin. If you love a soft, low-tannin red, look for other low-tannin reds rather than assuming "red wine" is one category. Tannin level affects how a wine feels far more than color does.
Match the sweetness. If you gravitate toward sweeter wines, look for labels that say "off-dry" — that's the term producers use for a touch of sweetness without going full dessert wine.
Match the acidity. Bright, mouthwatering wines share a citrus or green-apple quality across whites, and a similar juicy tartness shows up in lighter reds too.
Want the full picture of what to expect from the grapes you'll actually see on a shelf or a menu? Our Red Wine 101 and White Wine 101 guides break it all down.
Frequently asked questions
What if I don't know what I actually like yet?
Start by noticing one thing next time you drink a wine you enjoy: does it feel light or heavy, sweet or dry, and does it leave your mouth feeling dry (tannin) or watering (acidity)? That's usually enough to start narrowing things down.
Do I need to match the exact grape?
No — matching body, tannin, acidity, and sweetness matters more than matching the grape itself. That's the whole reason this approach works across different varieties.
Is this the same as pairing wine with food?
Different question. This is about finding wines similar to ones you already like; food pairing is about matching a wine to a dish. They can overlap, but they're not the same exercise.
What if I like both light whites and big reds?
Completely normal — what you're in the mood for often depends on the season, the meal, or the occasion. There's no rule that says you have to pick one lane.
