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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 it is properly dry and how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too light or thin.

You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about alcohol, 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.

Soave

curated

Another light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian white — and a more interesting one.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
A little less light or thin.

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.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Soave Classico

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Greco di Tufo

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Fiano

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Fiano di Avellino

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
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.

Soave

curated

Another light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian white — and a more interesting one.

Expect: More almond character and texture, particularly from the Classico zone.

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 more oaky, and more savoury.

Soave Classico

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Soave Classico

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

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.

Txakoli

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Jacquère

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

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

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

Chardonnay

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

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

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.

Muscadet

curated

A comparably lean, neutral white built for seafood.

Expect: More saline and mineral, with a bready lees texture.

Alpine white

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Colombard

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

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

Melon de Bourgogne

Melon de Bourgogne scores closest to Pinot Grigio across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

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.

Soave Classico

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

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 more oaky, and more savoury.

Kisi

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

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

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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 more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Greco

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.

Grenache Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.

Marsanne

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Franciacorta

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Méthode Cap Classique

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

California traditional-method sparkling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

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.

California Chardonnay

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

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

Pfalz Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

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 more savoury, and fruitier.

Chardonnay

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

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 fruitier, and more aromatic.

Dry Furmint

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

The obvious step up for someone who likes crisp, dry, unoaked whites.

Expect: More stone fruit, salinity and texture.

Similar but more restrained

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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 lighter in alcohol.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

Clairette

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

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

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 more oaky, and more savoury.

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Soave Classico

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Savennières

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

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

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 more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vin Jaune

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more aromatic.

Antão Vaz

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

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

Pošip

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

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 sweeter.

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 sweeter.

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 more oaky, 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.

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

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 more oaky, and more savoury.

Soave Classico

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

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

Vermentino

curated

A crisp dry Italian white with genuine character for the same occasions.

Expect: More saline and herbal, with a bitter-almond finish.

Greco di Tufo

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

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

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 more oaky, and more savoury.

Soave Classico

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Fiano

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

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

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 more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chardonnay

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

The obvious step up for someone who likes crisp, dry, unoaked whites.

Expect: More stone fruit, salinity and texture.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

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.