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 how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming, too savoury or funky and too sharp or lemony.
- 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.
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.
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 how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Phoenix
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less sharp or lemony.
Roditis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, 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 neutral and subtle.
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 fruitier.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 fruitier.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Roditis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Txakoli
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
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.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Roussanne
Roussanne scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
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 fruitier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
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 fruitier.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Prosecco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Asti
Asti scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, 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 neutral and subtle.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Ortega
Both are made from ortega, 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.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 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 neutral and subtle.
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 fruitier.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
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.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Cortese
Cortese scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Sercial
Sercial scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Friulano
Friulano scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Franken Silvaner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Phoenix
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, 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 neutral and subtle.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Solaris
Both are made from solaris.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
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.
Pinot Grigio
Both are made from pinot gris, 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 neutral and subtle.
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.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Ortega
Both are made from ortega, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Solaris
Both are made from solaris.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 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 neutral and subtle.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner scores closest to English still white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.