If you like this, try…
Wines like Pinot Gris
A pink-skinned mutation of Pinot Noir that makes two utterly different wines depending on whether the label says Gris or Grigio. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Pinot Gris?
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Looking for something moving away from too alcoholic or warming, too tropical or sweet-smelling and too buttery or thick.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Pinot Blanc
curatedAnother Pinot mutation, making similarly gentle, low-aromatic whites.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- A little less buttery or thick.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Garganega
curatedSoave’s grape occupies similar territory — light, dry, textured Italian white — with more character.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Vermentino
curatedA crisp, dry Italian white with more herbal and saline character.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More alcoholic or warming, not less.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Pinot Blanc
curatedAnother Pinot mutation, making similarly gentle, low-aromatic whites.
Expect: Drier and slightly leaner, with more apple and less honey.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Toscano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Trebbiano Toscano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Melon de Bourgogne
Melon de Bourgogne scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Muscadet
Muscadet scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Douro white
Douro white scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Greco di Tufo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pinot Blanc
curatedAnother Pinot mutation, making similarly gentle, low-aromatic whites.
Expect: Drier and slightly leaner, with more apple and less honey.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pinot Blanc
curatedAnother Pinot mutation, making similarly gentle, low-aromatic whites.
Expect: Drier and slightly leaner, with more apple and less honey.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
English Blanc de Blancs
English Blanc de Blancs scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Pinot Blanc
curatedAnother Pinot mutation, making similarly gentle, low-aromatic whites.
Expect: Drier and slightly leaner, with more apple and less honey.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Welsh white wine
Welsh white wine scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Welsh white wine
Welsh white wine scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Garganega
curatedSoave’s grape occupies similar territory — light, dry, textured Italian white — with more character.
Expect: More almond and savoury depth, and considerably more interesting.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Gros Manseng
Gros Manseng scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
English still white
Both are made from pinot gris.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Garganega
curatedSoave’s grape occupies similar territory — light, dry, textured Italian white — with more character.
Expect: More almond and savoury depth, and considerably more interesting.
Vermentino
curatedA crisp, dry Italian white with more herbal and saline character.
Expect: More citrus and a slight bitter-herb finish.
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.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.