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 keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too plain or too simple and too austere.
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
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.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and 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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
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 structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Albana
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.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Rheingau Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Valais Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
California traditional-method sparkling
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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Madeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Viognier
Viognier 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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Valais Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Australian Chardonnay
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.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.
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 more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Rheinhessen Riesling
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Rheinhessen Riesling
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.