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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 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.

Godello

curated

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Pošip

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Vidal

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Hárslevelű

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Malagousia

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Roussanne

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.

Antão Vaz

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Malvasia

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
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.

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.

Pošip

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Pošip

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

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.

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Parellada

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, 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

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.

Pedro Ximénez

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

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

Canadian Icewine

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

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

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.

Pošip

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

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 less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Malvasia

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Albana

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but fresher

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

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.

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 fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.

Gros Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.

Petite Arvine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.

Similar but softer

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

Pošip

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

Roussanne

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 more restrained in fruit.

Malvasia

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

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

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 less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

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 fresher and more acidic.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Franciacorta

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 sparkling.

Similar but sweeter

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Malvasia

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

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

Petit 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 fresher and more acidic.

Vidal

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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.

Vidal

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Malagousia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicier.

Pošip

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

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

Roussanne

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 more restrained in fruit.

Viognier

curated

For someone who likes full-bodied Chardonnay and wants more perfume.

Expect: Dramatically more aromatic — apricot and honeysuckle — with lower acidity.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Viognier

curated

For someone who likes full-bodied Chardonnay and wants more perfume.

Expect: Dramatically more aromatic — apricot and honeysuckle — with lower acidity.

Hárslevelű

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

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

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Malagousia

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinot Blanc

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 restrained in fruit.

Seyval Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

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 less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more floral

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but less floral

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

Pošip

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Antão Vaz

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

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

Godello

curated

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

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 fresher and more acidic.

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.

Similar but fruitier

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Pošip

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Petit 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 fruitier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

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 leaner and more cutting.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.

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 fresher and more acidic.

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.

Austrian Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Austrian botrytis sweet wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 more savoury, and more oaky.

Australian Chardonnay

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 oaky.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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 oaky.

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.

English Bacchus

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

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

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Pošip

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

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.

Pošip

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

White Burgundy

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

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.