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 that it is properly dry and the full body and weight, while moving away from too buttery or thick and too austere.
- You said you like that it is properly dry and that it is too austere. Both are about sweetness, 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.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less austere.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less austere.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less austere.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less austere.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less austere.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Rheingau Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheingau Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Nahe Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English sparkling wine
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Crémant
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Madeira
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and stronger and warmer.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
New Zealand 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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
New Zealand 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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.