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 that the fruit is not covered in oak and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from 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.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little 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.
Grillo
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 aromatic.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Grillo
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 aromatic.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
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 sweeter, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Trebbiano Spoletino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
Altesse
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 more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Trebbiano Spoletino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, 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.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
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.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and broader and softer.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
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.
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 more restrained in fruit.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and leaner and more cutting.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
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 more oaky.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Grillo
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 aromatic.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Australian 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 lighter, and sweeter.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedA 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.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Grillo
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 aromatic.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
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.
Grillo
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 aromatic.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
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 more savoury, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Friulano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.