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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 heavy, too tropical or sweet-smelling, too austere, too perfumed and too plain or too simple.

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.

A little less heavy.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Chenin Blanc

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

English still white

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

A little less heavy.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Vouvray

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Trebbiano Toscano

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less perfumed.
About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.

Garganega

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

A little less heavy.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Slavonian Graševina

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

A little less heavy.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

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 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.

English still white

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

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

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

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 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.

English still white

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

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

Vouvray

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

English still white

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

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 neutral and subtle.

Gavi

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

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

Seyval Blanc

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

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

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.

English still white

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

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.

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 lighter in alcohol.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Friuli white

Both come from the same country.

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

White Burgundy

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

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

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.

English still white

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

English still white

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

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

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 fuller and richer.

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 less oaky.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Müller-Thurgau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Chardonnay

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

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

The sparkling version

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

English Blanc de Blancs

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

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

Cava

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.

Crémant

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 fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

Sémillon

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Sémillon

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

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

Furmint

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

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

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

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.

Moschofilero

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.

Sémillon

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

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

English still white

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

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 fuller and richer.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Aidani

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.

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Bianco

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

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chablis

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

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

Petit Manseng

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

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.

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.

Glera

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

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

Vinho Verde

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fuller and richer, 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 less oaky.

Vouvray

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

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

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.

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 fuller and richer, 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 less oaky.

Vouvray

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

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

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.

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 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.

Santorini Assyrtiko

Santorini Assyrtiko 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.