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, the citrus and green-apple character and that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
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.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more savoury.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more savoury.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
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 broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Trebbiano Spoletino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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 broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more floral.
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 stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Crémant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Verdicchio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and stronger and warmer.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.