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 moving away from too plain or too simple, too austere, too light or thin, too heavy and too perfumed.

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.

Chenin Blanc

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Sémillon

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
A little less light or thin.
More heavy, not less.
Substantially less perfumed.

Vouvray

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less perfumed.

English still white

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
More light or thin, not less.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Vermentino

curated

Both are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Garganega

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Pinot Gris

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less austere.
More light or thin, not less.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

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.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Trebbiano Toscano

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

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

Gavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Glera

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

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.

Furmint

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

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

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.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chardonnay

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

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

California Chardonnay

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

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

Dry Furmint

Dry Furmint 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 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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Albana

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

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Istrian Malvazija

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Brda Rebula

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but fresher

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

Furmint

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

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

Vouvray

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

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

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Similar but softer

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

California Chardonnay

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

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

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Alsace Pinot Gris

Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

The sparkling version

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

English Blanc de Blancs

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Franciacorta

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Méthode Cap Classique

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

English sparkling wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but sweeter

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

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.

Marsala

Both are made from grillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Furmint

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

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

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

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

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Sémillon

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

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

Furmint

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

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

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Slavonian Graševina

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but more floral

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

Vouvray

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

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

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Franken Silvaner

Franken Silvaner scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Etna Bianco

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Chablis

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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 less oaky, 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 less oaky, 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 less oaky.

Muscat of Alexandria

Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Marsala

Both are made from grillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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.

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.

Pinot Gris

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Glera

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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.

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

English still white

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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.

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.