If you like this, try…
Wines like Chilean Chardonnay
Increasingly taut and mineral, particularly from the limestone-influenced Limarí Valley. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Chilean Chardonnay?
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 tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- 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 full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- The creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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 heavy.
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.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less heavy.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less heavy.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
White Bordeaux
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 more aromatic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
White Bordeaux
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 more aromatic.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
White Bordeaux
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 leaner and more cutting.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher.
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 sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
White Bordeaux
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 more aromatic.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Brda Rebula
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
California Chardonnay
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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 more sparkling, and sweeter.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
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 more sparkling, and sweeter.
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.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and leaner and more cutting.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
White Bordeaux
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 more herbal and green.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Etna Bianco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Crémant
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
White Bordeaux
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 more aromatic.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
White Bordeaux
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 more aromatic.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
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.