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 savoury or funky, too light or thin, too floral or soapy and too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
- More savoury or funky, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Cortese
Both come from the same country.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Roditis
Roditis scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Dry Furmint
Dry Furmint scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Albana
Both come from the same country.
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.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Gros Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Greco di Tufo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sekt
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Crémant
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Franciacorta
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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 more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Grigio
curatedBoth are light, dry, unobtrusive northern Italian whites.
Expect: Blander and less almond-scented.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
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
Condrieu scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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 lighter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Soave across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Greco di Tufo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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 less floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
New Zealand Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chablis
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Soave Classico
curatedThe hillside heart of the same appellation.
Expect: More concentration, texture and mineral depth.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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 lighter.
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.