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.
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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 keeping that it is properly dry, while moving away from too floral or soapy and 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.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
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.
Pinot Grigio
curatedBoth are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.
Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
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.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Muscadet
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 less floral.
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.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
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 less floral.
Greco di Tufo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Champagne
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Méthode Cap Classique
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
California traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
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.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 less floral.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
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 less floral.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
curatedBoth are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.
Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.
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 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 fruitier.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Falanghina
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Savatiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Treixadura
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 less floral.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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 less floral.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
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.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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 Grigio
curatedBoth are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.
Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 less floral.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Treixadura
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.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Treixadura
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.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
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.