If you like this, try…
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 the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too austere, too savoury or funky and too light or thin.
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.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Phoenix
Phoenix scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Finger Lakes Riesling scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
Both are made from friulano, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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, and drier.
Franciacorta
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Méthode Cap Classique
Méthode Cap Classique scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
California traditional-method sparkling
California traditional-method sparkling scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Silvaner
Silvaner scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Trebbiano Toscano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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 more savoury, and drier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
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.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
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.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko 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 lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.