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 full body and weight.
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
curatedModern Australian Chardonnay was deliberately reset towards this model and now gets remarkably close.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
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
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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 fruitier, 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.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.
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 lighter, and lighter in 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.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Etna Bianco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
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 lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
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 lighter in alcohol, 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 fruitier.
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.
Vin Santo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.
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.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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 fruitier, 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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 less spicy.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Chablis
curatedThe 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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California 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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Marsanne
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 broader and softer.
Grenache Blanc
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 less oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Corpinnat
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English sparkling wine
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cava
Both are made from chardonnay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
California 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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Madeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Marsala
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
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.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
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 more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California 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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Vin Jaune
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Roussanne
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.
Pfalz Riesling
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.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Roussanne
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 less spicy.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
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 more restrained in fruit.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
California 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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Godello
curatedGalician Godello has comparable texture and stone fruit and takes oak similarly.
Expect: More mineral and less nutty, and a fraction of the price.
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.
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 less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English still white
Both are made from chardonnay.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
California 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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
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.
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 fruitier, and less spicy.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
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 more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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 fruitier, 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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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.
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 less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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 fruitier, 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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Australian Chardonnay
curatedBoth 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 fruitier, 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.