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Wines like Friulano
Friuli’s signature white: dry, nutty and savoury, formerly called Tocai Friulano. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Friulano?
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
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- 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.
- The creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- 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 and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too austere and too heavy.
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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Trebbiano Toscano
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.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Albana
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.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Grechetto
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.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vidal
Vidal scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Ribolla Gialla
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Trebbiano Spoletino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English Blanc de Blancs
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.