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 savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too light or thin and too savoury or funky.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Fiano
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.
Fiano di Avellino
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.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Fiano
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.
Fiano di Avellino
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.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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
Finger Lakes Riesling scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Gavi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Picpoul de Pinet
Picpoul de Pinet scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Picpoul
Picpoul scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Dry Furmint
Dry Furmint scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 lighter.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Friuli white
Both are made from friulano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
California Chardonnay
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chilean Chardonnay
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
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.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Fiano
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.
Fiano di Avellino
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.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Fiano
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.
Fiano di Avellino
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.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.