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 that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too sharp or acidic, too austere and too plain or too simple.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Slavonian Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
- 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Jacquère
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Colombard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
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 stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Chardonnay
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.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and stronger and warmer.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and stronger and warmer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and stronger and warmer.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 stronger and warmer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and stronger and warmer.
Chardonnay
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.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Chardonnay
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.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.