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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 that it is properly dry, while moving away from too austere, too plain or too simple and too tropical or sweet-smelling.

You said you like that it is properly dry and that it is too austere. Both are about sweetness, 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.

Sémillon

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

Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Chenin Blanc

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

Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Furmint

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

Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Vouvray

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

Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Garganega

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

Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Friuli white

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Slavonian Graševina

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

Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

Furmint

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Furmint

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

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.

English still white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Trebbiano Toscano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Aligoté

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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.

Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Furmint

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

English still white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Furmint

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

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

Friuli white

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 savoury.

Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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 more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Furmint

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

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Friuli white

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.

Albana

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Istrian Malvazija

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Brda Rebula

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but fresher

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

Furmint

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

English still white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

The sparkling version

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

Cava

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Crémant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

English sparkling wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

English Blanc de Blancs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but sweeter

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

Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Marsala

Both are made from grillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Furmint

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Furmint

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

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

Friuli white

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 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 less oaky.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

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

Vin Jaune

Vin Jaune 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.

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Furmint

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

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

Friuli white

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.

Slavonian Graševina

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but more floral

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

Vouvray

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Friuli white

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.

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Savennières

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Franken Silvaner

Franken Silvaner scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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 fruitier, and less oaky.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Condrieu

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Marsala

Both are made from grillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

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 fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Furmint

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

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

Vouvray

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less 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.

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Furmint

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

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

Vouvray

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky.

A step up

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

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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.