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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 keeping that it is properly dry, while moving away from too buttery or thick, too savoury or funky 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.

Torrontés

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Gros Manseng

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

Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Godello

curated

A Spanish white with comparable texture and stone fruit that handles oak in a similar way.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Grillo

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less buttery or thick.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less buttery or thick.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as alcoholic or warming 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.

Torrontés

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

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Torrontés

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

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

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.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Colombard

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 restrained in fruit.

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Loureiro

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

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

Colombard

Both come from the same country.

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Condrieu

Both come from the same country.

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

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.

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.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Brda Rebula

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Pošip

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malagousia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Roussanne

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

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

Antão Vaz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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 sweeter.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sekt

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

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

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 sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

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

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.

Torrontés

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Grillo

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

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

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 sweeter.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Torrontés

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Falanghina

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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.

Cortese

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

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

Pinot Blanc

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 restrained in fruit.

Gavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Torrontés

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

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

Falanghina

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Grillo

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Savennières

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and sweeter.

White Burgundy

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Torrontés

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

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.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Soave

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.

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 sweeter.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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 more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

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 sweeter.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

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

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.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albariño

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Torrontés

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

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

Godello

curated

A Spanish white with comparable texture and stone fruit that handles oak in a similar way.

Expect: More mineral and citrus-driven, and far less widely known.

Gros Manseng

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

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.

Torrontés

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

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Grillo

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

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

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

White Burgundy

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 more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.