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.

I like…

That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too floral or soapy too savoury or funky 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.
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 light or thin.

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 Classico

curated

The hillside heart of the same appellation.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.

White Burgundy

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less light or thin.

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
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.
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.
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 Classico

curated

The hillside heart of the same appellation.

Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 lighter, and less floral.

Fiano

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

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 lighter, and fruitier.

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 lighter, and spicier.

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

curated

Both are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.

Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.

Alpine white

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Koshu

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Muscadet

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Alpine white

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Muscadet

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Colombard

Colombard scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Melon de Bourgogne

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Soave Classico

curated

The hillside heart of the same appellation.

Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.

Condrieu

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

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

Viognier

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

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

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 lighter, 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.

Soave Classico

curated

The hillside heart of the same appellation.

Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

White Burgundy

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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.

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 lighter, and less floral.

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 lighter, 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 lighter, and less floral.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Similar but softer

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

Grenache Blanc

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

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

Marsanne

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

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

Roussanne

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

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

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and sweeter.

Crémant

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

English sparkling wine

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Méthode Cap Classique

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Pfalz Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

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.

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 lighter, and spicier.

Grenache Blanc

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

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

Greco

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

White Burgundy

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Roussanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

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 lighter, and softer and rounder.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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.

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

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.

Condrieu

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

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

Viognier

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

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

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Douro white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Encruzado

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

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 lighter, and spicier.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

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 lighter, 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 lighter, and spicier.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

White Burgundy

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Chablis

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

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

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

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

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Soave Classico

curated

The hillside heart of the same appellation.

Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Soave Classico

curated

The 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 lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

White Burgundy

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

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 lighter, and more savoury.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Something more adventurous

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

Soave Classico

curated

The hillside heart of the same appellation.

Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

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.

Soave Classico

curated

Both are made from garganega, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Friuli white

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Chilean Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

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 lighter, and less floral.

White Burgundy

Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

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.