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 that it is properly dry and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less austere.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less austere.
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.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and 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.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less austere.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less austere.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less austere.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
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.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 aromatic.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 more aromatic.
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 aromatic.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
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 oaky.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Savennières
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
English sparkling wine
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
English Blanc de Blancs
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Corpinnat
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Jura Savagnin and 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 aromatic.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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 oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Finger Lakes Riesling scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Welsh white wine
Welsh white wine scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
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 more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
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 aromatic.
Savennières
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 more aromatic.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to New Zealand Chardonnay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
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.
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 more aromatic.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
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 oaky.
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 fresher and more acidic.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
English sparkling wine
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
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 fruitier.
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 oaky.
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 fruitier.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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 spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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
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 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, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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.