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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 that it is properly dry, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling.

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.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Catarratto

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Friulano

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Verdicchio

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Trebbiano di Soave

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Soave

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

Catarratto

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.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

Catarratto

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.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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.

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.

Aligoté

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

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

Alpine white

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

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

Colombard

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

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

Cortese

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

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

Alpine white

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

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

Arinto

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Chablis

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Assyrtiko

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

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

Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Douro white

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.

Encruzado

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

Expect: Expect it to be more 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.

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Verdicchio

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Xarel·lo

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Altesse

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Friuli white

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

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

Istrian Malvazija

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Ribolla Gialla

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Arinto

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

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

Carricante

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

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

Chablis

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

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

Etna Bianco

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

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

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 softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Grenache Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Arneis

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.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Cava

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

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

Crémant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 softer and rounder.

Similar but sweeter

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

Grechetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Garganega

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Graševina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chardonnay

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

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

Douro white

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

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

Encruzado

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

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

Friuli white

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 savoury.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.

Vin Jaune

Vin Jaune scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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.

Catarratto

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.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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.

Similar but more floral

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

Soave

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

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

Parellada

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

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

Arneis

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 fruit-driven.

Roero Arneis

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 oaky.

Similar but more savoury

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

Savennières

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

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

Friulano

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Condrieu

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Pinot Grigio

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.

Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Vermentino

curated

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

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

Catarratto

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.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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.

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.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Expect: More herbal and lighter.

Catarratto

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.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

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.