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 alcoholic or warming.
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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from athiri, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Malagousia
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 alcoholic or warming.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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.
Roditis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Picpoul de Pinet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Parellada
Parellada scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from athiri, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Verdelho
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Athiri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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.