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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.

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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.

I like…

The spice The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too peppery too green or grassy too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too light or thin.

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.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Savagnin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Friuli white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Greco di Tufo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Austrian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Greco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Savagnin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Friuli white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Savagnin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Friuli white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

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.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Austrian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Savagnin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Friuli white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

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.

Austrian Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Greco di Tufo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Pedro Ximénez

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Savagnin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Austrian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Savagnin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Greco di Tufo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Friuli white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Malvasia

Malvasia scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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 lighter in alcohol.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Greco di Tufo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Austrian Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Savennières

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

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 lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Grenache Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Pedro Ximénez

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

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 lighter in alcohol.

Cava

Cava scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Champagne

Champagne scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Corpinnat

Corpinnat scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Vin Santo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Marsala

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Austrian Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Greco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Bual

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Kisi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Friuli white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Australian Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Austrian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Viognier

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.

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Franken Silvaner

curated

Another dry, earthy, savoury central European white.

Expect: Earthier and less peppery.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Vernaccia di San Gimignano scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

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 lighter.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.

Oloroso sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Palo Cortado

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

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 fruitier.

Austrian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

Grüner Veltliner

Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

Grüner Veltliner

Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

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.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Australian Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Savagnin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Friuli white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Greco di Tufo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

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.

Savagnin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Friuli white

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Assyrtiko

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Greco di Tufo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

How these are chosen

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.