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Wines like Chardonnay

The most adaptable white grape in the world, and the one most often blamed for what winemakers do to it. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Chardonnay?

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…

How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too heavy too alcoholic or warming too buttery or thick too oaky or woody too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
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.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
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 and too alcoholic or warming.

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.

Petite Arvine

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Sercial

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Chenin Blanc

curated

Both are versatile, textural whites that take oak and lees ageing well and can be made lean or rich.

Substantially less austere.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less austere.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Petit Manseng

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.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Alsace Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Gros Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Sercial

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

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

Chenin Blanc

curated

Both are versatile, textural whites that take oak and lees ageing well and can be made lean or rich.

Expect: Higher acidity and a distinctive waxy, quince-and-honey character.

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Sercial

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

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

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.

Finger Lakes Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Chenin Blanc

curated

Both are versatile, textural whites that take oak and lees ageing well and can be made lean or rich.

Expect: Higher acidity and a distinctive waxy, quince-and-honey character.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Mosel Riesling

Mosel Riesling scores closest to Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde scores closest to Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Viognier

curated

For someone who likes full-bodied Chardonnay and wants more perfume.

Expect: Dramatically more aromatic — apricot and honeysuckle — with lower acidity.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Condrieu

Both come from the same country.

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

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Sercial

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but fresher

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

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Alsace Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Gros Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

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

Gewürztraminer

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.

Crémant

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

English sparkling wine

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Austrian Sekt

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Madeira

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 lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

White Port

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

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

Chenin Blanc

curated

Both are versatile, textural whites that take oak and lees ageing well and can be made lean or rich.

Expect: Higher acidity and a distinctive waxy, quince-and-honey character.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sémillon

curated

A similarly low-aromatic, textural white that develops complexity with age and oak.

Expect: Waxier and more lanolin-scented, with a distinctive toasty maturity.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Alsace Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Finger Lakes Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Sémillon

curated

A similarly low-aromatic, textural white that develops complexity with age and oak.

Expect: Waxier and more lanolin-scented, with a distinctive toasty maturity.

Seyval Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Similar but more floral

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

Alsace Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Finger Lakes Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

Ortega

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Similar but less floral

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

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Sercial

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

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

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Sercial

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

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

Vin Jaune

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Savennières

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Chablis

curated

The unoaked, high-acid expression of the same grape.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish instead.

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Gros Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

English still white

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

English still white

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Chablis

curated

The unoaked, high-acid expression of the same grape.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish instead.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Crémant

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

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

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in 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

curated

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Chablis

curated

The unoaked, high-acid expression of the same grape.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish instead.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Sercial

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

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

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

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.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Sercial

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

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

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Santorini Assyrtiko

Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

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.