If you like this, try…
Wines like Albana
An Emilia-Romagna variety with thick skins, well suited to skin contact and to sweet passito wines. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Albana?
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 citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- 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.
- 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- 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 buttery or thick, too plain or too simple, too sweet and too sharp or lemony.
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.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
- More sharp or lemony, not less.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
- More sharp or lemony, not less.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
- More sharp or lemony, not less.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sweet.
- About as sharp or lemony 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.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roussanne
Roussanne scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Roero Arneis
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Macabeo
Macabeo scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Palo Cortado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Vinsanto (Santorini) scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Asti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Gavi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Albana across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
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.