If you like this, try…
Wines like Altesse
Savoie’s finest white variety, producing structured, honeyed Alpine wines. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Altesse?
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
- 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 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.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too austere, too buttery or thick, too savoury or funky and too plain or too simple.
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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
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.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 softer and rounder.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Condrieu
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chablis
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Savennières
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Sercial
Sercial scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Etna Bianco
Etna Bianco scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.