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Posted on Mar 23rd 2023
Ever feel like the more choices you have, the harder it is to decide? As the world of wine expands on our shelves, the sheer magnitude of making a choice can seem daunting. When that happens, it becomes easy to grab the (same) bottle that you know you like. While it is not necessarily a bad thing to make the safe choice, knowing what wines are similar to your favorite can help expand your palate, and ultimately, your enjoyment.
If you Like Chardonnay, then try:
Viognier: This grape is known for its lovely aromatics, tropical fruit notes, and oily richness, which offers a familiar feel for fans of Chardonnay. Originally from the Rhone Valley, great options also come from California and Australia.
Roussanne: A Full-bodied beauty that offers round notes of lemon curd, beeswax, and biscuit. The weight and texture alone are enough, but add oak aging into the mix and you have a definite substitution for Chardonnay.
Chenin Blanc: Chenin Blanc is grown all over the wine world. It has quite a bit in common with un-oaked Chardonnay, with its ripe tropical fruit, full-body, and clean mineral streak. It’s offset by a deep ripeness, with distinct flavors of stone fruits, spice, and honeyed notes.
If you like Pinot Noir, then try:
Schiava: Typically from the Alto Adige region on northern Italy, this delicate-bodied red offers aromas of strawberry, rose, and hints of smoke. The wine is delicate and light in color.
Corvina: Another Italian variety, this produces a lighter-bodied wine with floral red fruits on the nose and savory currant, red cherry, and plum fruits on the palate. Sounds familiar, no?
Nerello Mascalese: And one more Italian beauty, this from the volcanic soils surrounding Mount Etna in Sicily. Often compared to bolder, structured Pinot Noirs, better bottlings will offer notes of dried cherry, orange peel, and spice with a mineral finish.