If You Like That Wine, Try This: 14 Alternative Styles to Taste
Time to Expand Your Wine World
It happens to the best of us. You find a wine you love - maybe a crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, a reliable bottle of Prosecco, or a smooth Chilean Merlot – and it becomes your go-to. The supermarket shelves are lined with familiar labels, and it’s just easier to stick with what you know.
But wine is about discovery. Every great bottle tells a story, and the world of wine is vast, full of exciting regions and lesser-known grapes that deserve a place in your glass.
So, if you’re ready to break out of your wine rut and elevate your drinking game, we’ve put together a list of simple swaps. These alternatives bring the same qualities you love – zippy freshness, elegance, richness – but with a fresh perspective.
And who knows? Your next favourite wine might just be something you’ve never heard of before.
Sparkling Wine Swaps: Beyond Prosecco and Champagne
LIKE: Prosecco
TRY: Crémant du Jura, Crémant de Limoux
Prosecco is the bubbly of choice for many, but Crémant is where things get really interesting. Crémant is France’s answer to sparkling wine outside of Champagne, made using the same traditional method but often offering better value.
- Crémant du Jura (from the Jura region in eastern France) has a touch more richness and complexity than Prosecco, with fine bubbles and notes of baked apple, citrus and toasted almonds.
- Crémant de Limoux, from the south of France, has been making sparkling wine since before Champagne even existed. Expect bright acidity, creamy texture and elegant citrus notes.
LIKE: Champagne
TRY: English Sparkling Wine or German Sekt
If you love Champagne, it’s time to explore English fizz. The chalky soils of southern England are practically twins to Champagne’s terroir, and the best English sparkling wines now rival their French counterparts in quality. Look for bottles from Nyetimber, Gusbourne or Hambledon.
For something different, German Sekt (made from Riesling or Pinot Blanc) is a hidden gem. Dry, crisp, and refreshingly aromatic, it’s a fantastic alternative to Champagne at a fraction of the price.
LIKE: Big-Brand Champagne (NM on the Label)
TRY: Grower Champagne (RM on the Label)
Most Champagne brands you see in shops are Négociant-Manipulant (NM), meaning they buy grapes rather than growing their own. Instead, seek out Récoltant-Manipulant (RM) Champagne – made by smaller producers who grow their own grapes, resulting in wines with more personality, minerality, and terroir expression.
Some top picks include Agrapart, Pierre Péters and Jacques Selosse.
White Wine Swaps: Crisp, Zesty and Mineral-Driven
LIKE: Pinot Grigio
TRY: Grüner Veltliner from Austria
Love a light, crisp Pinot Grigio? Take it up a notch with Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s flagship white wine. It has the same refreshing citrus and green apple character but with added complexity – think white pepper, herbaceous notes and a touch of minerality. A perfect summer sipper.
LIKE: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
TRY: Loire Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé)
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc lovers, meet your wine’s elegant French cousin: Sancerre. Hailing from the Loire Valley, it’s made from the same grape but with a subtler, more mineral-driven profile – crisp, zesty and laced with flinty smokiness.
Prefer something fruitier? Pouilly-Fumé has similar citrus and tropical notes but with a slightly richer texture.
LIKE: Puligny-Montrachet
TRY: Chablis Premier or Grand Cru
Puligny-Montrachet is all about precision, minerality and structure. If that’s your vibe, Chablis Premier or Grand Cru offers a similar balance of tension and elegance, with steely acidity, citrus zest and a whisper of oak.
LIKE: Mâcon Blanc, Pouilly-Fuissé
TRY: Chardonnay from Jura or Alpine France
The Jura region is quietly producing some of the most exciting Chardonnays in France. Think of it as a wilder, more textural take on white Burgundy, often showing notes of hazelnut, green apple and flinty minerality.
Alpine regions like Savoie are also producing thrilling cool-climate Chardonnays that are crisp, refreshing, and beautifully food-friendly.
LIKE: White Burgundy
TRY: Godello from Galicia, Spain
If you love the elegance of white Burgundy, Godello from Galicia, Spain, is a must-try. This Spanish white combines the richness of Chardonnay with the minerality of Chablis – bright acidity, citrus, stone fruit and a saline edge that makes it perfect for seafood.
LIKE: Meursault, Côtes-de-Beaune
TRY: Chardonnay from Jura or a Fino/Manzanilla Sherry
For those who love nutty, complex white Burgundies, Jura Chardonnay is an adventurous next step. Some are made in an oxidative style (under a layer of flor, much like Sherry), creating layers of hazelnut, dried fruit and savoury depth.
For something completely unexpected, try a Fino or Manzanilla Sherry - bone-dry, briny, and utterly compelling.
Red Wine Swaps: New Takes on Classic Favourites
LIKE: Beaujolais
TRY: New-Wave Reds from Sierra de Gredos (Spain) or Itata (Chile)
Love juicy, light-bodied Beaujolais? Spain’s Sierra de Gredos (just west of Madrid) is producing beautifully fresh, floral Garnacha with delicate tannins and bright acidity.
For something a little wilder, Itata in Chile is home to old-vine País and Cinsault, making wines with crunchy red fruit and herbal lift.
LIKE: Chilean Merlot
TRY: Argentine Malbec or Red Côtes-du-Rhône
Merlot drinkers will find a smooth, plush alternative in Argentine Malbec, which offers dark berry fruit, velvety tannins and a hint of spice.
For something even more versatile, Côtes-du-Rhône blends (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) bring soft tannins, juicy fruit and Mediterranean warmth.
LIKE: Rioja
TRY: Spanish Garnacha, Rhône Red or Campo de Borja
Rioja fans should explore Spanish Garnacha, particularly from Campo de Borja or Priorat, for a spicier, silkier take on Spanish reds.
Alternatively, Southern Rhône reds offer the same ripe red fruit, spice and structure, often with better value.
LIKE: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
TRY: Single-Estate Wines from Languedoc-Roussillon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s rich, full-bodied style can be found in top Languedoc-Roussillon reds, especially those from Minervois La Livinière or Terrasses du Larzac. These wines deliver depth, complexity and spice – often at a fraction of the price.
LIKE: Red Bordeaux
TRY: Douro Reds from Portugal or Loire Cabernet Franc
For those who love classic Bordeaux structure, Douro reds from Portugal offer deep fruit, fine tannins and ageing potential.
Alternatively, Loire Cabernet Franc (Chinon, Saumur) provides a fresher, herbal take on Bordeaux’s Left Bank reds.
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