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.

← Back to Friulano

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 keeping that it is properly dry, the savoury, non-fruity character and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too heavy 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.

Muscadet

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Picpoul

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Grüner Veltliner

curated

The closest comparison in Central Europe: dry, textured, faintly herbal and food-shaped.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
A little less buttery or thick.

Carricante

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Melon de Bourgogne

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Juhfark

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
A little less heavy.
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.

Muscadet

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

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

Picpoul

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Muscadet

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

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

Picpoul

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

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

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.

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.

Gavi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

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.

Carricante

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.

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Greco

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

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

Austrian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Greco di Tufo

Both come from the same country.

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

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Muscadet

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

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

Picpoul

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

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 more fruit-driven.

Tsolikouri

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Carricante

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.

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 more neutral and subtle.

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol.

Similar but softer

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

Auxerrois

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grenache Blanc

Grenache Blanc scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Marsanne

Marsanne scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Antão Vaz

Antão Vaz scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

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 sweeter, and more oaky.

English sparkling wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.

Muscadet

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

English Blanc de Blancs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.

Vinho Verde

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.

Seyval Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Verdicchio

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Greco di Tufo

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

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.

Moschofilero

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loureiro

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

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

Australian Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Muscadet

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

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

Melon de Bourgogne

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

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

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.

Gavi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Loureiro

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

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

Australian Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and leaner and more cutting.

Moschofilero

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more savoury.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Muscadet

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

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

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Loureiro

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

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

Australian Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Moschofilero

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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 softer and rounder.

Chablis

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Grüner Veltliner

curated

The closest comparison in Central Europe: dry, textured, faintly herbal and food-shaped.

Expect: Grüner Veltliner is peppery where Friulano is nutty.

Australian Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and leaner and more cutting.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Muscadet

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

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

Picpoul

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

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

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.

Muscadet

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

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

Picpoul

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

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

A step up

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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 more oaky.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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.