If you like this, try…
Wines like Friuli white
Italy’s most textural dry whites, from Collio and Colli Orientali — more weight and structure than the Italian norm. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Friuli 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 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.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too sharp or lemony, too oaky or woody and 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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Friulano
Both are made from friulano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less heavy.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less heavy.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- 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 fruitier.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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.
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 fruitier.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
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.
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 fruitier.
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 neutral and subtle.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 fruitier.
Friulano
Both are made from friulano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, 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 oaky.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fruitier.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Méthode Cap Classique
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
California traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Champagne
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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.
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 fruitier.
Friulano
Both are made from friulano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
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 fruitier.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Solaris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
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 fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, 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 oaky.
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 neutral and subtle.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Ribolla Gialla
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
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 neutral and subtle.
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.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 neutral and subtle.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
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 fruitier.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
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 neutral and subtle.
Australian 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 fruitier.
White Burgundy
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 fresher.
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.