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, while moving away from too peppery, too heavy and too austere.
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.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Vouvray
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.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
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.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
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.
Vouvray
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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
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.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
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.
Vouvray
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.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Condrieu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
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.
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 less spicy.
Vouvray
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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
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.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Marsanne
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Auxerrois
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Cava
Both are made from chardonnay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscadelle
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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 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.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Vouvray
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.
Muscadelle
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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 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.
Chablis
curatedThe 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 drier, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Muscadelle
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Soave
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chablis
curatedThe 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 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 lighter, and drier.
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 drier, and less spicy.
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.
California Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Chilean Chardonnay
Both are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
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.
Vouvray
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.
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 less spicy.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
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
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.
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 less spicy.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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.
Chablis
curatedThe same grape and region without the barrel influence.
Expect: No vanilla or butter at all — citrus, green apple and a saline finish.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to White Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Australian Chardonnay
curatedBoth are made from chardonnay, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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.