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Wines like Pinot Grigio

Light, crisp and deliberately neutral — one of the world’s best-selling whites, and a completely different wine from Alsace Pinot Gris. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Pinot Grigio?

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…

How light it is That it is not oaky That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too tropical or sweet-smelling too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too plain or too simple too austere

Clear all

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.
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.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
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 the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too light or thin, too plain or too simple and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is too plain or too simple. Both are about oak influence, 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.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

White Burgundy

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

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Soave Classico

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

Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
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.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

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.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

White Burgundy

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

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.

Alpine white

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Spätlese

Spätlese scores closest to Pinot Grigio across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Istrian Malvazija

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Savennières

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pošip

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Franciacorta

Both come from the same country.

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

Méthode Cap Classique

Méthode Cap Classique scores closest to Pinot Grigio across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

California traditional-method sparkling

California traditional-method sparkling scores closest to Pinot Grigio across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Champagne

Champagne scores closest to Pinot Grigio across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Madeira

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

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

Marsala

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

White Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Savennières

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Pošip

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Pinot Grigio across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Viognier

Viognier scores closest to Pinot Grigio across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

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.

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

English still white

Both are made from pinot gris, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

English still white

Both are made from pinot gris, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Pinot Gris

Both are made from pinot gris, and both come from the same country.

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

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.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

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.

Friuli white

Both are made from pinot gris, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

New Zealand Chardonnay

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

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the ripeness scale.

Expect: Full-bodied, oily, spicy and frequently off-dry — a genuinely different wine.

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

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.