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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 keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too light or thin 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.

Phoenix

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

English Bacchus

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Bacchus

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.

Falanghina

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.

Rheinhessen Riesling

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.

Rueda Verdejo

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
More light or thin, not less.
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.

Phoenix

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

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

English Bacchus

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

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

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.

Phoenix

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

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

English Bacchus

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

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

Falanghina

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.

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.

Phoenix

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

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

English Bacchus

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

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

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

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 more herbal and green, 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.

Moschofilero

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

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

Loureiro

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Hárslevelű

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

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

Phoenix

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

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

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 restrained in fruit.

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 restrained in fruit.

Malvazija Istarska

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

Istrian Malvazija

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.

Loureiro

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

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

Riesling

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

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

Australian Riesling

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Malagousia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Solaris

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Maria Gomes

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

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 softer and rounder, 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.

Franciacorta

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.

Sekt

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

Phoenix

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.

Riesling

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

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 restrained in fruit.

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.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

Rheinhessen Riesling

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

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

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.

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 fruitier.

Similar but more restrained

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

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

Avesso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

English still white

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.

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.

Phoenix

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

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 restrained in fruit.

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

Friulano

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 restrained in fruit.

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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 fruitier, and more aromatic.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier.

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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.

Australian Riesling

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

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

Albariño

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

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

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.

Bacchus

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

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

Falanghina

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.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

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.

Bacchus

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

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

Falanghina

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.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

Santorini Assyrtiko

Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

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.