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 moving away from too light or thin, too perfumed, too austere and 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.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- More light or thin, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- More light or thin, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- More light or thin, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- More light or thin, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- More light or thin, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- More light or thin, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- More light or thin, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- More light or thin, not less.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less austere.
- 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.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 lighter in alcohol.
Albana
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 fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 lighter in alcohol.
Albana
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 fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 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 drier, and more sparkling.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more sparkling.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 fresher and more acidic.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Vidal
Vidal scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay 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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Grechetto
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 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 fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Ribolla Gialla
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.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more sparkling.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 more aromatic, and more floral.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Gris
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.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
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 floral.
English Blanc de Blancs
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more sparkling.
Franciacorta
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.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 lighter in alcohol.
Albana
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 fruit-driven.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more sparkling.
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 more floral.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Albana
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 fruit-driven.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 lighter in alcohol.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Franken Silvaner
Franken Silvaner scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Carricante
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.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
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.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
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 more oaky.
Glera
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 sparkling.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 lighter in alcohol.
Albana
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 fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more sparkling.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 lighter in alcohol.
Albana
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 fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more sparkling.
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 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.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy 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.
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.