If you like this, try…
Wines like Chenin Blanc
The most versatile white grape there is: dry, off-dry, sweet or sparkling, and capable of ageing for decades. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Chenin Blanc?
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 fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- 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.
- The touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something moving away from too buttery or thick, too oaky or woody and too light or thin.
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.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Savagnin
curatedJura Savagnin shares the waxy, nutty, high-acid character in a more extreme form.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Coteaux du Layon
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less light or thin.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less light or thin.
Valais Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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.
Riesling
curatedBoth are high-acid, oak-averse varieties made across the full sweetness range with great longevity.
Expect: Lighter, lower in alcohol and more overtly floral and citrusy.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Riesling
curatedBoth are high-acid, oak-averse varieties made across the full sweetness range with great longevity.
Expect: Lighter, lower in alcohol and more overtly floral and citrusy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano Spoletino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Soave Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Crémant
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Coteaux du Layon
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Canadian Icewine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.
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.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Savagnin
curatedJura Savagnin shares the waxy, nutty, high-acid character in a more extreme form.
Expect: Far more oxidative and nutty, and much harder to find.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Coteaux du Layon
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vouvray
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
Vouvray
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Coteaux du Layon
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Coteaux du Layon
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Savagnin
curatedJura Savagnin shares the waxy, nutty, high-acid character in a more extreme form.
Expect: Far more oxidative and nutty, and much harder to find.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Savennières
Both are made from chenin blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Coteaux du Layon
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
Both are made from chenin blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
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.