If you like this, try…
Wines like Parellada
The lightest and most delicate of the Cava grapes, grown at altitude for freshness. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Parellada?
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 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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 moving away from too austere, too alcoholic or warming, too floral or soapy, too plain or too simple and too sharp or lemony.
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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- More sharp or lemony, not less.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Txakoli
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Istrian Malvazija
Istrian Malvazija scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Valais Petite Arvine
Valais Petite Arvine scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
Both are made from parellada, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Corpinnat
Both are made from parellada, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Muscat of Alexandria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Silvaner
Silvaner scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Palomino Fino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Toscano scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Muscat of Alexandria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Hárslevelű
Hárslevelű scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Muscadelle
Muscadelle scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Pošip
Pošip scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.