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.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it and the tropical, exotic fruit.
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.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, 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.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, 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.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
English 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.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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.
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 softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
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.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
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 softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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 more floral, and sweeter.
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.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
Franciacorta
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 more sparkling.
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 softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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.
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 more sparkling, and more floral.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Soave Classico
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 more oaky.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Retsina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Valais Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.
Soave Classico
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 more oaky.
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 fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more 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.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Rheinhessen Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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.