If you like this, try…
Wines like Chablis
Unoaked Chardonnay from the coolest corner of Burgundy: citrus, green apple, high acidity and a distinctly saline finish. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Chablis?
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 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 fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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 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, the citrus and green-apple character and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too sharp or lemony.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or lemony. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the citrus and green-apple character and that it is too sharp or lemony. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the citrus and green-apple character and that it is too sharp or lemony. 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.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Muscadet
curatedThe Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Etna Bianco
curatedVolcanic Sicilian Carricante has the same taut, saline, unoaked logic.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedAnother high-acid, saline Atlantic white built for seafood.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Santorini Assyrtiko
curatedA comparably taut, saline, mineral white with real structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Muscadet
curatedThe Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.
Expect: More neutral and lighter, with a bready lees texture.
Etna Bianco
curatedVolcanic Sicilian Carricante has the same taut, saline, unoaked logic.
Expect: An ashy, volcanic note in place of the chalk.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Etna Bianco
curatedVolcanic Sicilian Carricante has the same taut, saline, unoaked logic.
Expect: An ashy, volcanic note in place of the chalk.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Muscadet
curatedThe Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.
Expect: More neutral and lighter, with a bready lees texture.
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.
Muscadet
curatedThe Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.
Expect: More neutral and lighter, with a bready lees texture.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 fruitier.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 fruitier.
Muscadet
curatedThe Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.
Expect: More neutral and lighter, with a bready lees texture.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Santorini Assyrtiko
curatedA comparably taut, saline, mineral white with real structure.
Expect: Fuller and more powerfully saline, from a much hotter place.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
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.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Brda Rebula
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 fruitier.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
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 fresher, and fruitier.
English sparkling wine
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
English Blanc de Blancs
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Corpinnat
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Champagne
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
English sparkling wine
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
Muscadet
curatedThe Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.
Expect: More neutral and lighter, with a bready lees texture.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 fruitier.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedAnother high-acid, saline Atlantic white built for seafood.
Expect: More stone fruit and aromatic lift, less austere.
Sancerre
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 fruit-driven.
Pouilly-Fumé
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 fruit-driven.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Muscadet
curatedThe Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.
Expect: More neutral and lighter, with a bready lees texture.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Gavi
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Sancerre
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 fruit-driven.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedAnother high-acid, saline Atlantic white built for seafood.
Expect: More stone fruit and aromatic lift, less austere.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
curatedA comparably taut, saline, mineral white with real structure.
Expect: Fuller and more powerfully saline, from a much hotter place.
Qvevri amber wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedAnother high-acid, saline Atlantic white built for seafood.
Expect: More stone fruit and aromatic lift, less austere.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
English still 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 fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Santorini Assyrtiko
curatedThey occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Etna Bianco
curatedVolcanic Sicilian Carricante has the same taut, saline, unoaked logic.
Expect: An ashy, volcanic note in place of the chalk.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Muscadet
curatedThe Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.
Expect: More neutral and lighter, with a bready lees texture.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Etna Bianco
curatedVolcanic Sicilian Carricante has the same taut, saline, unoaked logic.
Expect: An ashy, volcanic note in place of the chalk.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Santorini Assyrtiko
curatedA comparably taut, saline, mineral white with real structure.
Expect: Fuller and more powerfully saline, from a much hotter place.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
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.