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 that it is properly dry.
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
curatedBoth are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
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.
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.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
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.
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
curatedBoth 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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
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 restrained in fruit.
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 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.
Vermentino
curatedBoth 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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
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 restrained in fruit.
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 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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle.
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 oaky, and fuller and richer.
Fiano
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 oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Brda Rebula
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
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 more neutral and subtle.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more floral, and more oaky.
Aligoté
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Arneis
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 leaner and more cutting.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more neutral and subtle.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle.
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.
Pinot Gris
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Arinto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
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 more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
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 neutral and subtle.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
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 neutral and subtle.
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 fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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.
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 more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Catarratto
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 restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
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 restrained in fruit.
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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Pecorino
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 restrained in fruit.
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
curatedBoth 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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
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 restrained in fruit.
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 more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
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 oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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.