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.
Refine
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.
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.
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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less heavy.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less heavy.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less heavy.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less heavy.
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.
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.
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.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially 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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vidal
Vidal scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Pfalz Riesling
Pfalz Riesling scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
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 sweeter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
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 sweeter.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Glera
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 floral.
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 fuller and richer, and more floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 sweeter.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
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 lighter in alcohol.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
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.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Carricante
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
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 sweeter.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 more herbal and green, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Glera
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 sparkling.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
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.