If you like this, try…

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.

← Back to Pinot Grigio

Refine

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 and how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too sharp or lemony.

You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too alcoholic or warming. 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.

Sercial

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Palomino Fino

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Clairette

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps how light and easy it feels.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Friulano

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.

Soave

curated

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

Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.

Pecorino

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Clairette

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

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Clairette

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

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

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 in alcohol, and lighter.

Jacquère

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

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

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

Kabinett

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Muscadet

curated

A comparably lean, neutral white built for seafood.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Vinho Verde

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Trebbiano Toscano

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Clairette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

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.

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Clairette

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

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Malvazija Istarska

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Picpoul de Pinet

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

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

Picpoul

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still white

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

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

Cortese

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but softer

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

Palomino Fino

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

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

Clairette

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Arneis

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Glera

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

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

Prosecco

Both come from the same country.

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

English Blanc de Blancs

English Blanc de Blancs scores closest to Pinot Grigio across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Roero Arneis

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

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

Istrian Malvazija

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Clairette

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

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Arneis

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Chasselas

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Verdelho

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more floral

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

Clairette

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

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Glera

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

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

Arneis

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Friulano

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Palomino Fino

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

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

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Muscadet

curated

A comparably lean, neutral white built for seafood.

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

Chasselas

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Avesso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Malvasia

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

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

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

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.

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 in alcohol, and fuller and richer.

Friuli white

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

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

English still white

Both are made from pinot gris, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.

Glera

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

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

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 in alcohol, and more oaky.

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Vinho Verde

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Clairette

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

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

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.

Sercial

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Palomino Fino

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

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

Clairette

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

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

A step up

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

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

Expect: More stone fruit, salinity and texture.

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

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 in alcohol, and fuller and richer.

Australian Riesling

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.