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, too floral or soapy and too savoury or funky.
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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
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.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Pinot Grigio
curatedBoth are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.
Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Koshu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Koshu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fresher, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Gros Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Méthode Cap Classique
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.
Pinot Grigio
curatedBoth are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.
Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Koshu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sercial
Sercial scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Retsina
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Trebbiano di Soave
Both are made from trebbiano di soave, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
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 more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Grigio
curatedBoth are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.
Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.