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.
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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 that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is properly dry.
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.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Alpine white
Both are made from altesse, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
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.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and leaner and more cutting.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Chosen because you asked for something less tannic.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Alpine white
Both are made from altesse, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fuller and richer.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more fruit-driven.
Grenache Blanc
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, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and leaner and more cutting.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Prosecco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Gros Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Verdicchio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Athiri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more tannic and structured.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 more oaky, and spicier.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.