If you like this, try…
Wines like Roussanne
Marsanne’s more aromatic and higher-acid partner, giving herbal tea and pear notes. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Roussanne?
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 full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too perfumed and too buttery or thick.
- You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Chardonnay
curatedA useful reference for a full white that takes barrel and lees well and ages.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Slavonian Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- 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.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Roussanne across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Both are made from roussanne, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Chardonnay
curatedA useful reference for a full white that takes barrel and lees well and ages.
Expect: Roussanne is more herbal and honeyed, with a distinctive chamomile note Chardonnay does not have.
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.
Chardonnay
curatedA useful reference for a full white that takes barrel and lees well and ages.
Expect: Roussanne is more herbal and honeyed, with a distinctive chamomile note Chardonnay does not have.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Slavonian Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marsanne
curatedBoth come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Roussanne across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Condrieu
Both are made from roussanne, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more savoury.
Crémant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
curatedA useful reference for a full white that takes barrel and lees well and ages.
Expect: Roussanne is more herbal and honeyed, with a distinctive chamomile note Chardonnay does not have.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Roussanne across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Roussanne across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Roussanne across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Roussanne across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
Chardonnay
curatedA useful reference for a full white that takes barrel and lees well and ages.
Expect: Roussanne is more herbal and honeyed, with a distinctive chamomile note Chardonnay does not have.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chardonnay
curatedA useful reference for a full white that takes barrel and lees well and ages.
Expect: Roussanne is more herbal and honeyed, with a distinctive chamomile note Chardonnay does not have.
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.