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 keeping the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too austere and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like that it is properly dry and that it is too austere. Both are about sweetness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Trebbiano Romagnolo scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
English still white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Alpine white
Both are made from altesse, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Alpine white
Both are made from altesse, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
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 fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Istrian Malvazija
Istrian Malvazija scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Altesse across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Condrieu
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
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.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and stronger and warmer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
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 broader and softer.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Pinot Blanc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Vin Jaune
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Savennières
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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 fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Pfalz Riesling
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Pfalz Riesling
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.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.