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 savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too buttery or thick and too oaky or woody.
- 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.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Aligoté
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit.
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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and lighter.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
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.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Crémant
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
English sparkling wine
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
Crémant
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chilean 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 more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Friuli white across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
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 more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
Chilean 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 more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Australian 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 more savoury, and more oaky.
New Zealand 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 more savoury, and more oaky.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more herbal and green.
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.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
Brda Rebula
Both are made from ribolla gialla, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more herbal and green.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Australian 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 more savoury, 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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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.