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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 alcoholic or warming, too heavy and too savoury or funky.

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.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Avesso

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

About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Falanghina

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

About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Chenin Blanc

curated

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

About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Sémillon

curated

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

About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Kerner

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

About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Muscadelle

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

About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Kerner

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

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.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Loureiro

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

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

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Loureiro

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

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 stronger and warmer.

Pedro Ximénez

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Hárslevelű

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Auxerrois

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

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 stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Malvazija Istarska

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.

Albana

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.

Istrian Malvazija

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fresher

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Similar but softer

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

Auxerrois

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

Pošip

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

The sparkling version

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Austrian Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but sweeter

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

Muscadelle

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Hárslevelű

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Ortega

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

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.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more floral.

Kerner

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Muscadelle

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

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.

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.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Cortese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Seyval Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more floral

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

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Muscadelle

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Hárslevelű

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Similar but less floral

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

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more savoury

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

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.

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Rkatsiteli

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fruitier

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

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.

Soave

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

English still white

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

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

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, and more savoury.

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 more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Austrian Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Soave

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Something more adventurous

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Kerner

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Kerner

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

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.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

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 both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

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.