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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 savoury, non-fruity character.

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.

Etna Bianco

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.

White Burgundy

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.

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.

Muscadet

curated

The Loire’s lean, saline, unoaked white does a very similar job for far less money.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.

Greco di Tufo

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.

Friuli white

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.

Carricante

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Etna Bianco

curated

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

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

White Burgundy

curated

The 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Etna Bianco

curated

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

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

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 fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in 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 lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Carricante

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky.

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.

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 less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

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

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

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

Txakoli

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 lighter.

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 less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

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

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 lighter.

Txakoli

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 lighter.

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 stronger and warmer.

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 oaky.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

White Burgundy

curated

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

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

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 fuller and richer, 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 earthier, and fuller and richer.

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 fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Kisi

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

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

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 broader and softer.

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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Franken Silvaner

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 more herbal and green.

Friulano

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more sparkling.

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 sparkling.

Cava

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and earthier.

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 more sparkling, and sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Cava

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and earthier.

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 more sparkling, and more aromatic.

Corpinnat

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

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

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 more sparkling, 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.

Carricante

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

Expect: Chosen because you asked for something less oaky.

Friulano

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

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

Greco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in 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 lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Friuli white

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

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

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 less oaky.

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 less oaky.

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 more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

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

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

Valais Petite Arvine

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 sweeter.

Sancerre

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 more herbal and green.

Similar but more restrained

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

Franken Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more herbal and green.

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.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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 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 more fruit-driven, 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.

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 more neutral and subtle.

Pouilly-Fumé

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 more herbal and green.

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

Both come from the same country.

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

Fino and Manzanilla sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Valais Petite Arvine

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 sweeter.

Soave Classico

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

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

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 fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

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 fuller and richer.

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 fuller and richer.

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 more fruit-driven, and sweeter.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, 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 fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 oaky.

Friuli white

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

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

White Burgundy

curated

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

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

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 spicier, and more herbal and green.

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 more savoury, and fuller and richer.

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 fuller and richer.

Something more adventurous

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

Etna Bianco

curated

Volcanic 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

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 fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in 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 lighter in alcohol, and less 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.

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.

Etna Bianco

curated

Volcanic 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

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 fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

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.