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.

← Back to White Burgundy

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.

I like…

How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too heavy too buttery or thick too oaky or woody too peppery too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 that it is properly dry and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too buttery or thick.

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.

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Australian Chardonnay

curated

Modern Australian Chardonnay was deliberately reset towards this model and now gets remarkably close.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Etna Bianco

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Carricante

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Juhfark

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Muscadet

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.

Australian Chardonnay

curated

Modern 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.

Etna Bianco

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Etna Bianco

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Juhfark

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

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.

Aligoté

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

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

Alpine white

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

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

Arinto

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

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

Brda Rebula

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

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

Alpine white

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.

Etna Bianco

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Condrieu

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Viognier

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Oloroso sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.

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.

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Savagnin

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Rkatsiteli

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Brda Rebula

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

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

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

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 softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fresher

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

Aligoté

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

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

Alpine white

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

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

Arinto

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Grenache Blanc

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Marsanne

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Roussanne

Both come from the same country.

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

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

The sparkling version

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

English Blanc de Blancs

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

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

English sparkling wine

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

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

Crémant

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 sweeter, and more fruit-driven.

Cava

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

English sparkling wine

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

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

English Blanc de Blancs

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

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

Sercial

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Crémant

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 sweeter, 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.

Arinto

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.

Greco

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Australian Chardonnay

curated

Modern 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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sancerre

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Albariño

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Muscadet

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 lighter.

Gavi

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

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

Melon de Bourgogne

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

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Albariño

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Sancerre

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

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

Australian Riesling

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

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

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, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Barolo

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Albariño

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Australian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Soave

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

English still white

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

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

English sparkling wine

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Australian Chardonnay

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.

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 softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.

Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more herbal and green.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Sancerre

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Etna Bianco

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Juhfark

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

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.

Etna Bianco

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Juhfark

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Australian Chardonnay

curated

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

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.