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 moving away from too savoury or funky and 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.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- 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.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Chablis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Chablis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Alpine white
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Chablis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Chablis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Chablis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Alpine white
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Chablis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Viognier
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.
California 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.
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.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Chablis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
California 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.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Crémant
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Chablis across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
White Burgundy
curatedThe 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Sémillon
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Blanc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
curatedA comparably taut, saline, mineral white with real structure.
Expect: Fuller and more powerfully saline, from a much hotter place.
Vin Jaune
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
California 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.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 more restrained in fruit.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
California 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.
California 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.
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 more restrained in fruit.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
curatedThe same grape and region, with barrel and lees influence added.
Expect: Vanilla, hazelnut, butter and considerably more weight.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.