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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 keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too perfumed.

You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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.

Avesso

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Kisi

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Catarratto

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Friulano

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Antão Vaz

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Catarratto

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Catarratto

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

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

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

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

Parellada

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

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

Picpoul

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

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

Picpoul de Pinet

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

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

Colombard

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

Godello

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

Expect: Expect it to be 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.

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Xarel·lo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Altesse

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

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 acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Greco

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 acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Carricante

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 acidic, and more restrained in fruit.

Arinto

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Antão Vaz

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Auxerrois

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

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

Pošip

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

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

Grenache Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.

Franciacorta

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

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

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

Méthode Cap Classique

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Grechetto

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

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

Verdelho

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graševina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Glera

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Soave Classico

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

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

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

Godello

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Catarratto

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

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

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more floral

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

Falanghina

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 more floral.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Arneis

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

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

Malagousia

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Friulano

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

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

Kisi

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

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

Greco

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

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

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Australian Riesling

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Catarratto

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

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

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Catarratto

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

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

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.