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 and that it is properly dry, 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.

Loureiro

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.

Moschofilero

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.

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.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less heavy.

Roditis

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.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.

Colombard

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.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.

Picpoul de Pinet

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.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.

Falanghina

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little 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.

Loureiro

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

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.

Loureiro

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.

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.

Loureiro

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Picpoul

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

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

Loureiro

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Colombard

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

Austrian Riesling

Austrian Riesling scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

Wachau Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Malagousia

Malagousia 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.

Loureiro

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

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

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

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

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

Ribolla Gialla

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 neutral and subtle.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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.

Loureiro

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

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

Colombard

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Picpoul

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but softer

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

Auxerrois

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

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

Arneis

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 neutral and subtle.

Roero Arneis

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 neutral and subtle.

Savatiano

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

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

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 sweeter, and more floral.

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 neutral and subtle.

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 fuller and richer.

English Blanc de Blancs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Prosecco

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

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

Phoenix

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more herbal and green.

Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more herbal and green.

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.

Aligoté

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

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

Verdicchio

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 neutral and subtle.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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.

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.

Picpoul de Pinet

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.

Picpoul

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but more floral

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

Loureiro

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.

Carricante

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 neutral and subtle.

Rkatsiteli

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

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.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 sweeter, and more aromatic.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

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

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

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.

Australian Riesling

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

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

Albariño

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more herbal and green.

Something more adventurous

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

Loureiro

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.

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.

Loureiro

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.

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.

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.