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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, too tropical or sweet-smelling, too austere 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.

Albana

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.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.

Trebbiano Toscano

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 tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less heavy.

Welschriesling

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.

Sémillon

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.

Chenin Blanc

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.

Vouvray

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.

Seyval Blanc

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

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less heavy.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Substantially less perfumed.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little 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.

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 more fruit-driven.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Welschriesling

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

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

Sémillon

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 more fruit-driven.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Welschriesling

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

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

Sémillon

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

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

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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Seyval Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

English still white

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

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.

Vouvray

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

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

Seyval Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Trebbiano Toscano

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 neutral and subtle.

Vinho Verde

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Furmint

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

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

Chardonnay

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

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

Vidal

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

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

Bual

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

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.

Sémillon

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Grechetto

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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 more fruit-driven.

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tsolikouri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fresher

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

Vouvray

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

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

English still white

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

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

Vinho Verde

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

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

Gavi

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Pinot Gris

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

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

Müller-Thurgau

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

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

Aidani

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Auxerrois

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 drier, and softer and rounder.

English Blanc de Blancs

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

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

Cava

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

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

English sparkling wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 more fruit-driven.

Sémillon

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

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

Welschriesling

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Sémillon

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vouvray

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 more fruit-driven.

Sémillon

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

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

Seyval Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Similar but more floral

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

Welschriesling

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

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

Aidani

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Vouvray

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

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

Garganega

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

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

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 drier, and fuller and richer.

Sercial

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carricante

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

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Spätlese

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

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

Petit Manseng

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

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

Muscat of Alexandria

Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

Glera

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

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

Vinho Verde

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

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

Pinot Gris

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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 more fruit-driven.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Welschriesling

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

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

Sémillon

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

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

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.

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 more fruit-driven.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Welschriesling

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

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

Sémillon

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

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

A step up

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

White Burgundy

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

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 drier.

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.