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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.
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 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.
Godello
curatedA Spanish white with comparable texture and stone fruit that handles oak in a similar way.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
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 that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- 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.
Godello
curatedA 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.
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 more savoury.
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 more savoury.
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 less spicy.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Godello
curatedA 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 fresher and more acidic.
Grenache Blanc
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 less oaky.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Chablis
curatedThe 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 fresher and more acidic.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Aligoté
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.
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
curatedFor someone who likes full-bodied Chardonnay and wants more perfume.
Expect: Dramatically more aromatic — apricot and honeysuckle — with lower acidity.
Condrieu
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.
Oloroso sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
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.
Marsanne
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 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 more savoury.
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 less spicy.
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 more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 more savoury.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 earthier.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
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 softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
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 less oaky.
Roussanne
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 more fruit-driven.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Champagne
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Méthode Cap Classique
Both are made from chardonnay.
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 less oaky.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
curatedFor someone who likes full-bodied Chardonnay and wants more perfume.
Expect: Dramatically more aromatic — apricot and honeysuckle — with lower acidity.
Pfalz Riesling
Pfalz Riesling scores closest to Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Clairette
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 more floral.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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 sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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 less oaky.
Roussanne
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 more fruit-driven.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Viognier
curatedFor someone who likes full-bodied Chardonnay and wants more perfume.
Expect: Dramatically more aromatic — apricot and honeysuckle — with lower acidity.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
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.
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.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Roussanne
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 less floral.
Clairette
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 less oaky.
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 more savoury.
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 more savoury.
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 less spicy.
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 more savoury.
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 more aromatic.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
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 more savoury.
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 less spicy.
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 more savoury.
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 more savoury.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chablis
curatedThe 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 less oaky.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.
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 more savoury.
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 more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
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.
Godello
curatedA 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.
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 more savoury.
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 less spicy.
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 more savoury.
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.
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 more savoury.
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 less spicy.
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 more savoury.
Godello
curatedA 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.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.