If you like this, try…
Wines like White Burgundy
Barrel-fermented Chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune and Mâconnais — the model every serious oaked Chardonnay in the world is measured against. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about White Burgundy?
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
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- The creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- 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 the savoury, non-fruity character and the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too austere and too peppery.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Australian Chardonnay
curatedModern Australian Chardonnay was deliberately reset towards this model and now gets remarkably close.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Australian Chardonnay
curatedModern Australian Chardonnay was deliberately reset towards this model and now gets remarkably close.
Expect: A touch more citrus and a leaner finish, at much lower prices.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to White Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli 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 drier, and less spicy.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Chardonnay
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 drier, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to White Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Marsanne
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
California traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Cava
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Champagne
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 drier, and less spicy.
Corpinnat
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to White Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Seyval Blanc
Seyval Blanc scores closest to White Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to White Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Vin Jaune
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Friuli white
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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
curatedModern Australian Chardonnay was deliberately reset towards this model and now gets remarkably close.
Expect: A touch more citrus and a leaner finish, at much lower prices.
Friuli 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 drier, and less spicy.
New Zealand Chardonnay
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 drier, and less spicy.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
Champagne
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
curatedModern Australian Chardonnay was deliberately reset towards this model and now gets remarkably close.
Expect: A touch more citrus and a leaner finish, at much lower prices.
New Zealand Chardonnay
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 drier, and less spicy.
California Chardonnay
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 drier, and spicier.
Chilean Chardonnay
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 drier, and less spicy.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Australian Chardonnay
curatedModern Australian Chardonnay was deliberately reset towards this model and now gets remarkably close.
Expect: A touch more citrus and a leaner finish, at much lower prices.
Chardonnay
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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
curatedBoth 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 drier, and less spicy.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Chardonnay
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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
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.