If you like this, try…
Wines like Low and no-alcohol wine
Wine with alcohol removed after fermentation, or made deliberately light — a fast-growing adjacent category with its own technical constraints. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Low and no-alcohol wine?
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.
- The tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- 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.
- 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.
- The touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something moving away from too sweet, too light or thin and too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
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 drier, and stronger and warmer.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
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 stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rheingau Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Low and no-alcohol wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Auslese
Auslese scores closest to Low and no-alcohol wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Low and no-alcohol wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Low and no-alcohol wine across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nahe Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 drier, and stronger and warmer.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more sparkling.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and drier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.