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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 moving away from too savoury or funky and too floral or soapy.

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.

Pinot Grigio

curated

Both are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.

A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Avesso

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Pošip

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Antão Vaz

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Trebbiano di Soave

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

A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Gros Manseng

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Pinot Grigio

curated

Both are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.

Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.

Avesso

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

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

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 less floral, and spicier.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Avesso

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

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

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 less floral, and spicier.

Pinot Grigio

curated

Both are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.

Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Pinot Grigio

curated

Both are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.

Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.

Colombard

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 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.

Colombard

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Jacquère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Riesling

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

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

Alpine white

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

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 less floral, and spicier.

Vidal

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

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

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.

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 less floral, and spicier.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Vidal

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

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

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.

Albana

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Malvazija Istarska

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Similar but fresher

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Petite Arvine

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

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more aromatic.

Štajerska Šipon

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 more restrained in fruit.

Similar but softer

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

Antão Vaz

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

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

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 fuller and richer.

Auxerrois

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

The sparkling version

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

Austrian Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Crémant

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Franciacorta

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Similar but sweeter

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

Malvasia

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

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

Petite Arvine

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

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 less floral, and spicier.

Pinot Grigio

curated

Both are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.

Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

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 less floral.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Dry Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.

Kerner

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

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

Solaris

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

curated

Both are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.

Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Cortese

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Seyval Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more floral

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

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Phoenix

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

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

Maria Gomes

Maria Gomes scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

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 less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more savoury

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

Franken Silvaner

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Chablis

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Similar but fruitier

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

Avesso

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

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

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

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 less floral, and spicier.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

English still white

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 more savoury, 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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

English still white

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 more savoury, and less floral.

Chablis

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Austrian Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 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 more savoury, and less floral.

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 more savoury, and less floral.

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

curated

Both are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.

Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more aromatic.

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 sweeter.

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Something more adventurous

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

Avesso

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

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

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 less floral, and spicier.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

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.

Avesso

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

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

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 less floral, and spicier.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

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 less floral.

Australian Chardonnay

Both are made from chardonnay.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.