If you like this, try…
Wines like Athiri
A soft Aegean variety used to round out Assyrtiko blends on Santorini. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Athiri?
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 light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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 that it is properly dry, while moving away from too buttery or thick.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more 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.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from athiri, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Vidiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Prosecco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and stiller.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more herbal and green.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more herbal and green.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Mantinia Moschofilero
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 aromatic.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
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.
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.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from athiri, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.
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.