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Wines like Sauvignon Blanc

A pungently aromatic variety whose character swings from flinty and restrained in the Loire to explosively tropical in Marlborough. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Sauvignon Blanc?

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 The citrus and orchard fruit How fresh and crisp it is The herbal, green side How aromatic it is That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too sharp or lemony too sharp or acidic too green or grassy 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.
The citrus and orchard fruit: Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
The herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
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 herbal, green edge, while moving away from too perfumed, too green or grassy and too austere.

You said you like the herbal, green edge and that it is too green or grassy. Both are about herbal / green character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Bacchus

curated

England’s signature white variety occupies very similar aromatic territory — elderflower, nettle and grapefruit.

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less perfumed.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.

Welsh white wine

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Riesling

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Petite Arvine

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Spätlese

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Petit Manseng

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less green or grassy.
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.

Bacchus

curated

England’s signature white variety occupies very similar aromatic territory — elderflower, nettle and grapefruit.

Expect: Lighter in body and more floral, with an English-specific hedgerow character.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less 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.

Mosel Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Vidal

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Malvasia

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Hárslevelű

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

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 riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Rkatsiteli

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Similar but softer

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

Ortega

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Muscadelle

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

The sparkling version

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sekt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Similar but sweeter

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

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Similar but more restrained

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

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vidal

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Grüner Veltliner

curated

Both are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.

Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.

Similar but more floral

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

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Bacchus

curated

England’s signature white variety occupies very similar aromatic territory — elderflower, nettle and grapefruit.

Expect: Lighter in body and more floral, with an English-specific hedgerow character.

Mosel Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Hárslevelű

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vidal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more savoury

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

Grüner Veltliner

curated

Both are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.

Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Pouilly-Fumé

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Rueda Verdejo

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

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.

Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Something more adventurous

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

Bacchus

curated

England’s signature white variety occupies very similar aromatic territory — elderflower, nettle and grapefruit.

Expect: Lighter in body and more floral, with an English-specific hedgerow character.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Petite Arvine

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.

Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

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.