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 the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too sharp or acidic.
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.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Doña Blanca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Trebbiano di Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- 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.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more neutral and subtle.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more neutral and subtle.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral.
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.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Jacquère
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 fresher.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
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 sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Prosecco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Verdicchio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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 Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more neutral and subtle.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.