If you like this, try…
Wines like Cortese
The high-acid Piedmontese variety behind Gavi — neutral enough to be dismissed as plain, and precise enough to be one of Italy’s better food whites. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Cortese?
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.
- 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 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.
- 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 moving away from too light or thin and too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
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.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more 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.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Cortese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Franciacorta
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Cortese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Corpinnat
Corpinnat scores closest to Cortese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
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.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
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.