If you like this, try…
Wines like Clairette
An ancient southern French white contributing floral aromatics to Rhône and Languedoc blends. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Clairette?
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
- The tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- 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.
- 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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 floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too tropical or sweet-smelling and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral character, 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.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Gavi
Gavi scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Welsh white wine
Welsh white wine scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
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.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Istrian Malvazija
Istrian Malvazija scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Brda Rebula
Brda Rebula scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chardonnay
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 more aromatic.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Soave
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.
Marsanne
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Grenache Blanc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
Cava scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Vouvray
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Crémant
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Vouvray
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Vin Jaune
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Macabeo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Pošip
Pošip scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Clairette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.