If you like this, try…

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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too heavy 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.

White Bordeaux

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

English Bacchus

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Welsh white wine

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Bacchus

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

English still white

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Aligoté

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Chenin Blanc

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
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.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Different grape, similar feel

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

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

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 Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

English still white

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

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

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 Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

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 neutral and subtle.

Dry Furmint

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

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

Furmint

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

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

Coteaux du Layon

Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

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

English still white

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Istrian Malvazija

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

Brda Rebula

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Aligoté

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

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

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albariño

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Gris

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

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

Roero Arneis

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

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

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 less oaky, and more aromatic.

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 less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Sekt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Champagne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Prosecco

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Chenin Blanc

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 flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

English still white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aligoté

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

Similar but more floral

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

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Etna Bianco

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

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

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chablis

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky, and more aromatic.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Coteaux du Layon

Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Albariño

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

English still white

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

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.

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

English still white

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

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.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

White Burgundy

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

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.