If you like this, try…
Wines like Colombard
A high-acid south-west French variety used for Armagnac and for crisp, inexpensive whites. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Colombard?
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 citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- 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 how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too austere, too light or thin and too sharp or acidic.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about alcohol, 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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- 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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Toscano scores closest to Colombard 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.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 broader and softer.
Malvasia
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 broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 broader and softer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 lighter, and more aromatic.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 broader and softer.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Muscadelle
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 broader and softer.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and drier.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and drier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.