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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 the full body and weight and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming 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.

Chablis

curated

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

White Burgundy

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as buttery or thick 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 the full body and weight.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Savagnin

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Savennières

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
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.

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.

White Burgundy

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

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

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.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Savagnin

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.

Savennières

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.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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.

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.

Soave

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

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

Brda Rebula

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sancerre

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

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.

Alpine white

Both come from the same country.

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 lighter.

Melon de Bourgogne

Both come from the same country.

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

Muscadet

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.

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 fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Pedro Ximénez

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.

Oloroso sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

White Burgundy

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

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

Savagnin

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.

Savennières

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.

Australian 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.

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 lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Friuli white

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.

Brda Rebula

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

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.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Savennières

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.

Assyrtiko

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

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

Similar but softer

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

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.

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.

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

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.

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.

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 sweeter.

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.

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.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sercial

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

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.

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.

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

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.

Greco

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

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

Austrian Riesling

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

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 sweeter, and lighter.

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 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.

White Burgundy

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more restrained

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

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 lighter.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Malagousia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter in alcohol.

Similar but less floral

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

White Burgundy

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

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, and lighter in alcohol.

Savagnin

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.

Savennières

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.

Vin Jaune

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.

Savennières

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Australian 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.

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.

New Zealand 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.

Friuli white

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.

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.

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 lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

English still white

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Australian 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.

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.

New Zealand 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.

White Burgundy

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

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

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.

White Burgundy

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

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, and lighter in alcohol.

Australian 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.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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.

Savagnin

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.

Savennières

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.

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.

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.

Savagnin

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.

Savennières

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.

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.

New Zealand 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.

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both come from the same country.

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

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.