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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.

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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.

I like…

How fresh and crisp it is The creamy, rounded texture

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or acidic too light or thin too buttery or thick too oaky or woody too savoury or funky too sweet

Clear all

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 keeping the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too buttery or thick and too sharp or acidic.

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.

Avesso

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Ortega

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Solaris

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Maria Gomes

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Malvazija Istarska

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Kerner

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Muscadelle

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Avesso

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Ortega

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

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

Solaris

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Avesso

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Ortega

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

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

Solaris

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

Müller-Thurgau

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

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

Parellada

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

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

Riesling

curated

Both 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.

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

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 fresher, and drier.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Parellada

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

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

Riesling

curated

Both 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.

Vidal

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

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

Malvasia

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

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

Pošip

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

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vidal

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Pošip

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

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

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 drier, and less oaky.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Albana

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

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

Malvasia

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

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

Riesling

curated

Both 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.

Petite Arvine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gros Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Vidal

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Chardonnay

curated

Both take oak and lees ageing well and are made in both lean and rich styles.

Expect: Rounder and lower in acidity, with more obvious oak influence.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moscato d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Avesso

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Similar but sweeter

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

Moscato d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Vin de Constance

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

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

Recioto della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Avesso

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.

Ortega

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

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

Solaris

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sémillon

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

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

Chardonnay

curated

Both take oak and lees ageing well and are made in both lean and rich styles.

Expect: Rounder and lower in acidity, with more obvious oak influence.

Chilean Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Ortega

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

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

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

Sémillon

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

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

Seyval Blanc

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Ortega

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

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

Maria Gomes

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Avesso

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Treixadura

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Grüner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Savagnin

curated

Jura Savagnin shares the waxy, nutty, high-acid character in a more extreme form.

Expect: Far more oxidative and nutty, and much harder to find.

Sercial

Sercial scores closest to Chenin Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Avesso

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Ortega

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

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

Solaris

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

Coteaux du Layon

Both are made from chenin blanc.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

Coteaux du Layon

Both are made from chenin blanc.

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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.

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 savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Coteaux du Layon

Both are made from chenin blanc.

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

Savennières

Both are made from chenin blanc.

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

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

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.

Pinot Gris

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

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

Chardonnay

curated

Both take oak and lees ageing well and are made in both lean and rich styles.

Expect: Rounder and lower in acidity, with more obvious oak influence.

Pinot Grigio

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

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

English Bacchus

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Avesso

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Ortega

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

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

Solaris

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

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

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Avesso

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Ortega

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

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

Solaris

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

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

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chardonnay

curated

Both take oak and lees ageing well and are made in both lean and rich styles.

Expect: Rounder and lower in acidity, with more obvious oak influence.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.