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.
Refine
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 floral or soapy, too alcoholic or warming, too sharp or lemony and too plain or too simple.
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.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
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.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Txakoli
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
German dry Riesling (trocken) scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Pošip
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 fruitier, and more 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 less oaky.
Corpinnat
Both are made from parellada, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malagousia
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.
Palomino Fino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Vernaccia di San Gimignano 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.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Pošip
Pošip scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Parellada across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Antão Vaz
Antão Vaz 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.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.