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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.

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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.

I like…

The creamy, rounded texture That it is not oaky The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too heavy too light or thin too buttery or thick too plain or too simple too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 moving away from too austere, too savoury or funky and too buttery or thick.

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.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less austere.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.

Verdelho

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, 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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, 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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter in alcohol.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter in alcohol.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Furmint

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.

Petit Manseng

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

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 softer and rounder.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Trebbiano Spoletino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.

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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Alsace Pinot Gris

Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Muscat of Alexandria

Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

California Chardonnay

California Chardonnay scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Austrian Sekt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more sparkling.

Sekt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more sparkling.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stiller.

Crémant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

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 softer and rounder.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Furmint

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Furmint

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Coteaux du Layon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.

Sémillon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Seyval Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Scheurebe

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more sparkling.

Finger Lakes Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.

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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

Friuli white

Both are made from friulano, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

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.

Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Mosel Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.

Sauvignon Blanc

curated

A useful anchor for a dry white with herbal, green-edged aromatics.

Expect: Friulano is much less pungent, with an almond-skin bitterness in place of Sauvignon’s gooseberry and cut grass.

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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more sparkling.

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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Petite Arvine

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Spätlese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Vouvray

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more sparkling.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Santorini Assyrtiko

Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Australian Chardonnay

Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

White Burgundy

White Burgundy scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

How these are chosen

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.