If you like this, try…
Wines like Alsace Pinot Gris
The full, oily, spicy expression of Pinot Gris — a completely different wine from Italian Pinot Grigio. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Alsace 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.
- 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.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- 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.
- The touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something keeping the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too buttery or thick and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about texture, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about acidity, 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.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
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
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.
Chardonnay
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 drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Chardonnay
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 drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Pinot Grigio
curatedThe same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.
Expect: Much lighter, drier and more neutral.
Altesse
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 drier.
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.
Chardonnay
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 drier.
Altesse
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 drier.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Alsace Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Chardonnay
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 drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Alsace Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Corpinnat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Chardonnay
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 drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Coteaux du Layon
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Altesse
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 drier.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gewürztraminer
curatedIts Alsatian sibling, with the same weight and texture.
Expect: Far more perfumed — lychee and rose.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Alsace Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and leaner and more cutting.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Alsace Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and leaner and more cutting.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Alsace Pinot Gris 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.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and leaner and more cutting.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Alsace Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and leaner and more cutting.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Gewürztraminer
curatedIts Alsatian sibling, with the same weight and texture.
Expect: Far more perfumed — lychee and rose.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Alsace Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Alsace Pinot Gris across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.
English still white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
Pinot Grigio
curatedThe same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.
Expect: Much lighter, drier and more neutral.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Pinot Grigio
curatedThe same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.
Expect: Much lighter, drier and more neutral.
English still white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
English still white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
Pinot Grigio
curatedThe same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.
Expect: Much lighter, drier and more neutral.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.
Chardonnay
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 drier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Altesse
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 drier.
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
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Altesse
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 drier.
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 fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.