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 and the full body and weight, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too sharp or lemony and too buttery or thick.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, 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.
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.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
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.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- A little less buttery or thick.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less buttery or thick.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- A little less buttery or thick.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 lighter, and softer and rounder.
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.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
California 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Chilean 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.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 fresher, and lighter.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
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 fruitier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Crémant
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
English sparkling wine
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
White Port
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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 lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Chilean 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.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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 lighter.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
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 lighter.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
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 softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 fresher.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Verdelho
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Chilean 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.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Malvasia
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
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.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Chilean 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.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
California 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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Chilean 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.
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 fruitier, 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.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 more savoury, and fresher.
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 softer and rounder, and lighter.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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 more savoury, and fresher.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
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 more savoury.
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 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.