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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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too sharp or lemony.
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.
Friulano
Both are made from friulano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
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.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- 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.
Friulano
Both are made from friulano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less 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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, 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 fruit-driven.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
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 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 fresher and more acidic.
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.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and leaner and more cutting.
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 fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Vin Santo
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Friulano
Both are made from friulano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less 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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, 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 fruit-driven.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Negroamaro
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 neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Jura Savagnin and 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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
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 softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
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 spicier.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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.
Champagne
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Vin Santo
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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.
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.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, 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 fruit-driven.
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 fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, 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 fruit-driven.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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 softer and rounder.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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 spicier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Palo Cortado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, 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 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.
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 fruitier, and fresher.
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 more acidic, and fresher.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Vin Santo
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and fresher.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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 fresher, and spicier.
Pinot Gris
Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Friulano
Both are made from friulano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less 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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, 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 fruit-driven.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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
Both are made from friulano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less 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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, 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 fruit-driven.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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 more savoury.
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 fruitier, and fresher.
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 fresher, and spicier.
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 fruitier, 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.