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Wines like Australian Chardonnay

A category deliberately reset from heavy and oaky to taut and citrus-driven — now one of the best-value serious whites in the world. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Australian Chardonnay?

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…

How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too heavy too buttery or thick too oaky or woody too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
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 the savoury, non-fruity character and the full body and weight, while moving away from too oaky or woody.

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 Classico

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
A little less oaky or woody.

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
A little less oaky or woody.

Assyrtiko

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
A little less oaky or woody.

Greco di Tufo

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
A little less oaky or woody.

Austrian Riesling

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Kisi

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Godello

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the full body and weight.
A little less oaky or woody.

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 Classico

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

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Assyrtiko

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Soave Classico

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

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Assyrtiko

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

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.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chablis

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Bianco

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

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

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Chablis

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Bianco

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

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

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Carricante

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Australian Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Condrieu

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Viognier

Viognier scores closest to Australian Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Soave Classico

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

Expect: Chosen because you asked for something less tannic.

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Assyrtiko

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Kisi

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

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

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Greco

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit.

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

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

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

Grenache Blanc

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

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

Pedro Ximénez

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pošip

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

The sparkling version

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

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

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

Franciacorta

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Méthode Cap Classique

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

California traditional-method sparkling

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Bual

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.

Pfalz Riesling

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

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

Valais Petite Arvine

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

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

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

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

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.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Greco

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

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

Kisi

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

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

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

curated

The style Australia moved away from.

Expect: Riper, rounder and much more overtly oaked and buttery.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

South African Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Pfalz Riesling

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

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

Roussanne

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

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

Alsace Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Fiano di Avellino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Fiano

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

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

Roussanne

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

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

Alsace Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Qvevri amber wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.

Similar but fruitier

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

Coteaux du Layon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Australian Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chablis

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

English still white

Both are made from chardonnay.

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

California Chardonnay

curated

The style Australia moved away from.

Expect: Riper, rounder and much more overtly oaked and buttery.

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

White Burgundy

curated

The model the reset was aimed at, and now genuinely comparable.

Expect: More nutty and mineral, at several times the price.

Chablis

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Soave Classico

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

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Assyrtiko

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

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 Classico

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

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Assyrtiko

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

White Burgundy

curated

The model the reset was aimed at, and now genuinely comparable.

Expect: More nutty and mineral, at several times the price.

South African Chenin Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Chablis

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

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.