If you like this, try…
Wines like Kerner
A German crossing of Riesling and Schiava, grown in Germany and notably in Alto Adige. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Kerner?
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
- The tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- 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.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
Looking for something moving away from too light or thin, too plain or too simple, too tropical or sweet-smelling and too floral or soapy.
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.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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.
Alpine white
Both are made from kerner.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English still white
English still white scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Aligoté
Aligoté scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Alpine white
Both are made from kerner.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Kerner 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.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 fruitier.
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.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Corpinnat
Corpinnat scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Oloroso sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Scheurebe
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Scheurebe
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Kerner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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.