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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.

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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 the full body and weight, that it is properly dry and the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too heavy.

You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about alcohol, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Australian Chardonnay

curated

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.

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.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less heavy.

Chablis

curated

The same grape and region without the barrel influence.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.

White Bordeaux

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less heavy.

Altesse

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less heavy.

Verdicchio

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less heavy.

Xarel·lo

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Substantially less heavy.

Chardonnay

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
A little less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

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 fresher and more acidic, 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.

White Bordeaux

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

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

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Altesse

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

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

Verdicchio

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

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

Xarel·lo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Altesse

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

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Auxerrois

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

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

Catarratto

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

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.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

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 fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Viognier

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Chardonnay

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 fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

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 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.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Altesse

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

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

Verdicchio

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

Rkatsiteli

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.

Ribolla Gialla

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fresher

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

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.

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Dry Furmint

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.

Similar but softer

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

Auxerrois

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

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

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Pošip

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Marsanne

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

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

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

Franciacorta

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.

Méthode Cap Classique

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.

Champagne

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 fresher and more acidic.

Similar but sweeter

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

Franciacorta

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

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

Méthode Cap Classique

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

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

California traditional-method sparkling

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

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

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 sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Altesse

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.

Auxerrois

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Bical

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 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 fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

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

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.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Chasselas

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more floral

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

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more floral.

Albariño

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Amontillado sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fruitier

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Chilean 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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Godello

curated

Galician Godello has comparable texture and stone fruit and takes oak similarly.

Expect: More mineral and less nutty, and a fraction of the price.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.

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.

Soave

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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 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 lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

Champagne

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 fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.

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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Chilean 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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Chardonnay

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 fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Chardonnay

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 fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.

Something more adventurous

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

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 fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Godello

curated

Galician Godello has comparable texture and stone fruit and takes oak similarly.

Expect: More mineral and less nutty, and a fraction of the price.

Altesse

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

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

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.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Godello

curated

Galician Godello has comparable texture and stone fruit and takes oak similarly.

Expect: More mineral and less nutty, and a fraction of the price.

Altesse

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

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

A step up

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

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.