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Wines like Arneis
Piedmont’s leading white variety, producing soft, pear-and-almond-scented dry wines in Roero. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Arneis?
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 floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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 alcoholic or warming, too floral or soapy, too buttery or thick and too light or thin.
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.
Soave Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less light or thin.
Vidiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Soave Classico
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Soave Classico
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Gavi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Picpoul de Pinet
Picpoul de Pinet scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Vidal
Vidal scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Soave Classico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Soave Classico
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 lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
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 lighter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Albana
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Soave Classico
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
Cava scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
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 less floral.
Recioto della Valpolicella
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 sweeter.
Madeira
Madeira scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Marsala
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 lighter.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Grigio
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Soave Classico
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
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 lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Soave Classico
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
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.
Soave Classico
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
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.