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Wines like Verdicchio

One of Italy’s most structured and ageworthy white varieties, from the Marche. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Verdicchio?

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 creamy, rounded texture That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too buttery or thick too savoury or funky too austere

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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.
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.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
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.

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.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable texture and structure in an unoaked frame.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Verdicchio

Both are made from verdicchio, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Soave

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Catarratto

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Vermentino

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable texture and structure in an unoaked frame.

Expect: Rounder and more oak-influenced.

Verdicchio

Both are made from verdicchio, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable texture and structure in an unoaked frame.

Expect: Rounder and more oak-influenced.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Catarratto

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 leaner and more cutting.

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.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Alpine white

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Colombard

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Gavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Alpine white

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Colombard

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

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

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

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 leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more oaky.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable texture and structure in an unoaked frame.

Expect: Rounder and more oak-influenced.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more oaky.

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.

Verdicchio

Both are made from verdicchio, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Chosen because you asked for something less tannic.

Marsanne

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

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

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable texture and structure in an unoaked frame.

Expect: Rounder and more oak-influenced.

Friulano

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 savoury.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Brda Rebula

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Istrian Malvazija

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and leaner and more cutting.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Albariño

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

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

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Alpine white

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Auxerrois

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Grenache Blanc

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

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

Marsanne

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

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

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fuller and richer.

The sparkling version

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

Melon de Bourgogne

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

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

Muscadet

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

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.

Txakoli

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Garganega

curated

The same variety under another name in Soave, in a gentler style.

Expect: Softer and less structured.

Grechetto

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

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

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

Slavonian Graševina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Altesse

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

Expect: Chosen because you asked for something less oaky.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Arinto

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Arneis

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chardonnay

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Friuli white

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 fuller and richer.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

Australian Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

Falanghina

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

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

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Cortese

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 lighter.

Gavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more floral

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

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

Arneis

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 neutral and subtle.

Athiri

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.

Australian Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

Similar but more savoury

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

Franken Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Vin Jaune

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

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

Palomino Fino

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.

Antão Vaz

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Verdicchio

Both are made from verdicchio, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Soave

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Trebbiano di Soave

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Soave Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Soave Classico

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.

Verdicchio

Both are made from verdicchio, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

Soave

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.

Trebbiano di Soave

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

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

curated

Comparable texture and structure in an unoaked frame.

Expect: Rounder and more oak-influenced.

Chablis

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Pinot Grigio

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Verdicchio

Both are made from verdicchio, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Soave

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

Verdicchio

Both are made from verdicchio, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Soave

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and leaner and more cutting.

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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable texture and structure in an unoaked frame.

Expect: Rounder and more oak-influenced.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

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.