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 moving away from 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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially 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.
Pinot Grigio
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 leaner and more cutting.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
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 fruit-driven.
Cortese
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 fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Grigio
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 leaner and more cutting.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
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 fruit-driven.
Cortese
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 fresher and more acidic.
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.
Aligoté
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Cortese
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 fresher and more acidic.
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.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Cortese
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 fresher and more acidic.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Vidal
Vidal scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
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 leaner and more cutting.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, 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.
Pinot Grigio
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 leaner and more cutting.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
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 fruit-driven.
Cortese
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 fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Aligoté
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Cortese
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 leaner and more cutting.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 more sparkling, and sweeter.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Prosecco
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 more floral.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 sweeter.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and leaner and more cutting.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Cortese
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 fresher and more acidic.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 sweeter.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
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 sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and leaner and more cutting.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
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.
Pinot Grigio
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 leaner and more cutting.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more floral.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
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 fruit-driven.
Cortese
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 fresher and more acidic.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
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 fruit-driven.
Cortese
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 fresher and more acidic.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
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 stronger and warmer.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedThe closest comparison in Central Europe: dry, textured, faintly herbal and food-shaped.
Expect: Grüner Veltliner is peppery where Friulano is nutty.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Grigio
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 leaner and more cutting.
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.