If you like this, try…
Wines like Grüner Veltliner
Austria’s signature white: dry, high in acid, with a white-pepper and lentil savouriness found in almost no other variety. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Grüner Veltliner?
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
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- 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 light or thin 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.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less austere.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less austere.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less austere.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less austere.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less austere.
Savagnin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Austrian Riesling
Both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as austere 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.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Toscano scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscadet
Muscadet scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Finger Lakes Riesling scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Muscadet
Muscadet scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Austrian Riesling
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Cava
Cava scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Corpinnat
Corpinnat scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Austrian Riesling
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Franken Silvaner
curatedAnother dry, earthy, savoury central European white.
Expect: Earthier and less peppery.
Silvaner
Silvaner scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
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.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.