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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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too buttery or thick.

You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about texture, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

English still white

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Aligoté

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Brda Rebula

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Soave

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less buttery or thick.

Albariño

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

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.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Brda Rebula

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Brda Rebula

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

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

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 sweeter, and lighter.

Pouilly-Fumé

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.

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.

Alpine white

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

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

Colombard

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Melon de Bourgogne

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

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

Alpine white

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

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

Colombard

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

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

Melon de Bourgogne

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Pedro Ximénez

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

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

Condrieu

Both come from the same country.

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

Canadian Icewine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 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.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Brda Rebula

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.

Istrian Malvazija

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

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Albariño

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

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

Aligoté

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

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.

Malvasia

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.

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

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

Cava

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.

Crémant

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 more sparkling, and sweeter.

English Blanc de Blancs

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Crémant

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 more sparkling, and lighter.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Vouvray

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

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

English sparkling wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, 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.

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

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.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

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

Chablis

curated

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, and more savoury.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.

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 softer and rounder, and lighter.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Melon de Bourgogne

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

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Loureiro

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

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

Spätlese

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

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

Albariño

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Brda Rebula

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Muscadet

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

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

Savennières

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

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

Etna Bianco

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

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

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 sweeter, and lighter.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.

Spätlese

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

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

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Soave

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

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

Chilean 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 more oaky.

Friuli white

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 more oaky.

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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 more savoury.

Crémant

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 more sparkling, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.

Australian 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 more oaky.

New Zealand 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 more oaky.

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.

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.

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.

Pouilly-Fumé

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.

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Something more adventurous

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

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Brda Rebula

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

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

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 sweeter, and lighter.

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.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Brda Rebula

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

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

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 sweeter, and lighter.

A step up

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

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

Australian 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 more oaky.

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.