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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.

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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.

I like…

The citrus and orchard fruit How fresh and crisp it is The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too sharp or acidic too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 citrus and green-apple character and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too sharp or acidic and too sharp or lemony.

You said you like the citrus and green-apple character and that it is too sharp or acidic. 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 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 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

curated

The same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Retsina

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Friuli white

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Soave

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Grüner Veltliner

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Friulano

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Chardonnay

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less sharp or lemony.

White Bordeaux

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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

curated

The same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.

Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.

Retsina

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

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

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Soave

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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Retsina

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

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

Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

White Bordeaux

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

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

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

curated

The 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.

Koshu

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Parellada

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Muscadet

curated

The 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 acidic, and fresher.

Txakoli

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

White Burgundy

curated

The same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.

Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

White Burgundy

curated

The same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.

Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Friuli white

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

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 fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

Istrian Malvazija

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

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

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

White Burgundy

curated

The same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.

Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

The sparkling version

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

Franciacorta

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Méthode Cap Classique

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Cava

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.

Franciacorta

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Méthode Cap Classique

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Retsina

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

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

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Pecorino

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

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

Altesse

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Burgundy

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

White Bordeaux

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

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.

Retsina

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

Another high-acid, saline Atlantic white built for seafood.

Expect: More stone fruit and aromatic lift, less austere.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Pecorino

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

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Soave

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 neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.

Roussanne

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

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

Garganega

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

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

Falanghina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

A comparably taut, saline, mineral white with real structure.

Expect: Fuller and more powerfully saline, from a much hotter place.

Amontillado sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Palo Cortado

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Similar but fruitier

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

Rheinhessen Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pfalz Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Soave

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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Jura Savagnin and 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 fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

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 acidic, and fresher.

Soave

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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.

White Burgundy

curated

The 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

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

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

curated

The same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.

Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.

Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Something more adventurous

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

Retsina

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

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

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Soave

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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Friulano

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.

Retsina

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

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

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Soave

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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

A step up

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

White Burgundy

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

A comparably taut, saline, mineral white with real structure.

Expect: Fuller and more powerfully saline, from a much hotter place.

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.