If you like this, try…

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.

← Back to Arneis

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.

I like…

That it is not oaky That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too buttery or thick too plain or too simple too floral or soapy too austere

Clear all

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 plain or too simple, too austere and too buttery or thick.

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.

Garganega

curated

Both are gentle, almond-inflected northern Italian whites.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
More buttery or thick, not less.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
A little less buttery or thick.

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
About as buttery or thick 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.

Garganega

curated

Both are gentle, almond-inflected northern Italian whites.

Expect: Higher acidity and more mineral.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Kabinett

Kabinett scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

Trebbiano Toscano

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 fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Pfalz Riesling

Pfalz Riesling scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.

Vidal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Albana

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.

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Istrian Malvazija

Istrian Malvazija scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Friuli white

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Garganega

curated

Both are gentle, almond-inflected northern Italian whites.

Expect: Higher acidity and more mineral.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Welsh white wine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

English Bacchus

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Muscat of Alexandria

Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.

Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Viognier

Viognier scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Cava

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.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

English sparkling wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Furmint

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Furmint

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chardonnay

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.

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.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Trebbiano Toscano

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.

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

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.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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 less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Rheinhessen Riesling

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.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Garganega

curated

Both are gentle, almond-inflected northern Italian whites.

Expect: Higher acidity and more mineral.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

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.

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Roero Arneis

Both are made from arneis, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Roero Arneis

Both are made from arneis, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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 fresher and more acidic.

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Bacchus

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.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Bacchus

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

Chardonnay scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Australian Chardonnay

Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

White Burgundy

White Burgundy scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Arneis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

How these are chosen

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.