If you like this, try…
Wines like New Zealand Chardonnay
Taut, citrus-driven Chardonnay from Kumeu, Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough — consistently undervalued. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about New Zealand Chardonnay?
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 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.
- 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 full body and weight, the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is properly dry, while moving away from 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.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
California 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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Jura Savagnin and 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 drier, and lighter.
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Rheingau Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 more fruit-driven.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
California 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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
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 drier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
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 less oaky.
Friuli white
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California 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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Méthode Cap Classique
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
California traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California 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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier, and less oaky.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Franken Silvaner
Franken Silvaner scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
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.
California 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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier.
Friuli white
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Jura Savagnin and 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 drier, and lighter.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
California 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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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
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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier.
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
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.
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 drier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.