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Wines like Grillo

A Sicilian white with good acidity and body, originally bred for Marsala and now a leading dry white. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Grillo?

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 tropical fruit That it is not oaky How aromatic it is That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too heavy too light or thin too plain or too simple too perfumed too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The tropical fruit: Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
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.
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 oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
How aromatic it is: Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
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 moving away from too perfumed, too light or thin and too heavy.

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.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.

Roditis

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Pinot Grigio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Picpoul

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Aligoté

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

English still white

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Cortese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

Roditis

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

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

Pinot Grigio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Roditis

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

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

Pinot Grigio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

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.

Pinot Grigio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Gavi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.

Cortese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.

Roditis

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

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

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.

Cortese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.

Gavi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Dry Furmint

Dry Furmint scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Soave Classico

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Fiano

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Verdicchio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Grechetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Xarel·lo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Altesse

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Rkatsiteli

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Ribolla Gialla

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

Trebbiano Spoletino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Picpoul

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Cortese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but softer

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

Auxerrois

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

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

Müller-Thurgau

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

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

Arneis

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.

Roero Arneis

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.

The sparkling version

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

Glera

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.

English Blanc de Blancs

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.

Franciacorta

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more sparkling.

Méthode Cap Classique

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more sparkling.

Similar but sweeter

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

Trebbiano Toscano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Albana

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Glera

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more floral.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

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 fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

Verdicchio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.

Moschofilero

Moschofilero scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Torrontés

Torrontés scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Roditis

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

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

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.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

Similar but more floral

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

Glera

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more floral.

Parellada

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

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

Müller-Thurgau

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

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

Vinho Verde

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.

Muscadet

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Carricante

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

Etna Bianco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fruitier

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

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.

Petit Manseng

Petit Manseng scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.

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, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Glera

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more floral.

Vinho Verde

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

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

Pinot Gris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Roditis

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

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

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.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more 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.

Roditis

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

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

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.

Aligoté

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

White Burgundy

White Burgundy scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Santorini Assyrtiko

Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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.