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Wines like Assyrtiko

Santorini’s volcanic white: bone dry, intensely saline and remarkable for keeping high acidity in extreme heat. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Assyrtiko?

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…

The citrus and orchard fruit How fresh and crisp it is 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 sharp or lemony too sharp or acidic too heavy too buttery or thick too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The citrus and orchard fruit: Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
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 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, the savoury, non-fruity character, the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too austere.

You said you like that it is properly dry and that it is too austere. Both are about sweetness, 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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Furmint

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.

Greco di Tufo

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Savennières

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Greco

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Savagnin

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Chenin Blanc

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.

Bual

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Furmint

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Furmint

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Greco

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Chenin Blanc

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.

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

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grechetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

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.

Furmint

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.

Vouvray

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Dry Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

Carricante

curated

Etna’s white variety shares the volcanic, saline, high-acid character.

Expect: Slightly lighter and more citrus-driven.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Viognier

Viognier scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Vin Santo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Furmint

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Friuli white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

California Chardonnay

California Chardonnay scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.

Pfalz Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Champagne

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Corpinnat

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Australian traditional-method sparkling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

English Blanc de Noirs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Furmint

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

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

Madeira

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

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 softer and rounder, and stronger and warmer.

Szamorodni

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Greco

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier.

Bual

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.

Austrian Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Petit Manseng

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.

Furmint

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Gewürztraminer

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alsace Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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.

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.

Franken Silvaner

Franken Silvaner scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more floral

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

Alsace Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hárslevelű

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Santorini Assyrtiko

Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Qvevri amber wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Amontillado sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Similar but fruitier

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

Furmint

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

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

Pfalz Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Retsina

Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Vinsanto (Santorini)

Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Retsina

Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Something more adventurous

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

Furmint

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Greco

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Furmint

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier.

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Greco

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

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

A step up

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

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.