If you like this, try…
Wines like Soave
Garganega from volcanic hills near Verona: subtle, almond-scented and far better than its bulk-wine reputation. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Soave?
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 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.
- 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.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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 moving away from too sharp or lemony.
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.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Macabeo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
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.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Ribolla Gialla
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Champagne
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Méthode Cap Classique
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
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.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Athiri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Koshu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Solaris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Garganega
Both are made from garganega, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Pinot Grigio
curatedBoth are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.
Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.