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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, that it is properly dry and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too light or thin.

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 that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

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

Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Greco di Tufo

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

Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Savennières

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

Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Assyrtiko

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

Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Greco

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

Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

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 that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Savagnin

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.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in 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

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

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Picpoul de Pinet

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Alpine white

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Melon de Bourgogne

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter.

Greco

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter.

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

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

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

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Soave Classico

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

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

The sparkling version

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

English sparkling wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Cava

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Corpinnat

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Champagne

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 lighter, and sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

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

English sparkling wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Cava

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Corpinnat

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Champagne

Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

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.

Greco

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Juhfark

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

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

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

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

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

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Sancerre

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

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 lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

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

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 lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

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

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

Sancerre

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

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

Fiano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fiano di Avellino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

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

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

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 lighter.

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter, and fruitier.

Dry Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and fruitier.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Friuli white

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

English still white

Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

White Burgundy

curated

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

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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

curated

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Etna Bianco

curated

Volcanic Sicilian Carricante has the same taut, saline, unoaked logic.

Expect: An ashy, volcanic note in place of the chalk.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Greco

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

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

A step up

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

curated

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

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

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

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.