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 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 that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Vermentino
curatedBoth are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- 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.
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.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
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.
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.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
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 more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
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.
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
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 restrained in fruit, 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 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.
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
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 sweeter, and more floral.
Prosecco
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.
Franciacorta
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.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Rheinhessen Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
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 sparkling.
Kerner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
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.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
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.
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.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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 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.
Rías Baixas 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.
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.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
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.
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.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
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.