If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too sharp or lemony and 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less austere.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less austere.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less sharp or lemony.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less austere.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less austere.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less austere.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less austere.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
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.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and leaner and more cutting.
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 softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and leaner and more cutting.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Ribolla Gialla
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Corpinnat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
Silvaner
Silvaner scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and leaner and more cutting.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
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 fresher.
Amontillado sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Palo Cortado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Retsina
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fresher.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Chablis
curatedA comparably taut, mineral, unoaked white of real seriousness.
Expect: Cooler and more citrus-driven, without the volcanic salinity.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
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.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.
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.
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 fresher.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Assyrtiko across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.