If you like this, try…
Wines like English still white
A growing category beyond Bacchus — still Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and blends, viable as growing-season warmth has increased. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about English still white?
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Looking for something 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.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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 light or thin.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less light or thin.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- 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.
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 drier, 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 drier, and softer and rounder.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Santorini Assyrtiko
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 drier.
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 drier, and broader and softer.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
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.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
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 English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Santorini Assyrtiko
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 drier.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, and softer and rounder.
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.
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 drier, 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 drier, and softer and rounder.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and drier.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 drier, 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 broader and softer, and more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Corpinnat
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English sparkling wine
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 lighter in alcohol.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
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.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more aromatic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
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 drier.
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 drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 drier, and broader and softer.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
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 drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
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 drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
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 drier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 drier, 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 broader and softer, and more oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Santorini Assyrtiko
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 drier.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
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.