If you like this, try…

Wines like Melon de Bourgogne

The neutral, high-acid grape of Muscadet, and one of the great shellfish wines. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Melon de Bourgogne

Refine

What do you like about Melon de Bourgogne?

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 citrus and orchard fruit How light it is That it is not too strong How fresh and crisp it is That it is not oaky That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too sharp or acidic too plain or too simple too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The citrus and orchard fruit: Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
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.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
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, while moving away from too light or thin, too plain or too simple and too alcoholic or warming.

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, and both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Friuli white

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Chardonnay

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Dry Furmint

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

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, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stiller.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Friuli white

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

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

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, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stiller.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Friuli white

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

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

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.

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, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stiller.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Friuli white

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

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

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.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stiller.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.

Dry Furmint

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

California Chardonnay

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

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

Chardonnay

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 stiller.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stiller.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

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 stiller, and softer and rounder.

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.

Brda Rebula

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 less oaky, and lighter.

Similar but softer

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Chardonnay

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 stiller.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Douro white

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Champagne

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

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

Crémant

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Corpinnat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English Blanc de Noirs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The still version

Moves from sparkling to still while keeping the grape and flavour family intact.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pfalz Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Condrieu

Both come from the same country.

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

Viognier

Both come from the same country.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Chardonnay

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 stiller.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Dry Furmint

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Albariño

curated

Both are Atlantic whites built for shellfish.

Expect: More aromatic and stone-fruited, with more body.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Chardonnay

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 stiller.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

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, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and stiller.

Similar but more floral

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

Chardonnay

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 less floral.

Fiano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.

Fiano di Avellino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.

Roussanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Vin Jaune

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Similar but fruitier

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.

Roussanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.

Dry Furmint

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Muscadet

Both are made from melon de bourgogne, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Muscadet

Both are made from melon de bourgogne, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less 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.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stiller.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Chardonnay

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 stiller.

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 stiller, and softer and rounder.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Dry Furmint

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

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

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 stiller, and softer and rounder.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Dry Furmint

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

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

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

Chablis

curated

The natural step up for someone who likes lean, mineral, unoaked whites.

Expect: More concentration and depth, at several times the price.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

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.