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 keeping the citrus and green-apple character and how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too sharp or acidic.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too alcoholic or warming. Both are about alcohol, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the citrus and green-apple character and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Seyval Blanc
Both are made from seyval blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Txakoli
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Alpine white
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Verdicchio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Verdicchio
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 fuller and richer.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Verdicchio
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 fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Méthode Cap Classique
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
California traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
White Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Phoenix
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Seyval Blanc
Both are made from seyval blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from solaris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Friuli white
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Seyval Blanc
Both are made from seyval blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from solaris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Chablis
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 lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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.