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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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too perfumed.

You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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.

Albariño

curated

A comparably crisp, high-acid Atlantic white for seafood.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Pouilly-Fumé

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Assyrtiko

curated

For someone who wants the bracing acidity without the herbaceous aromatics.

Has noticeably less of how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Australian Riesling

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Albariño

curated

A comparably crisp, high-acid Atlantic white for seafood.

Expect: Less pungent, more saline and stone-fruited, with more texture.

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Albariño

curated

A comparably crisp, high-acid Atlantic white for seafood.

Expect: Less pungent, more saline and stone-fruited, with more texture.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Australian Riesling

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

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

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.

Colombard

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

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

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

Loureiro

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

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

Txakoli

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

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

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.

Loureiro

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

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

Kabinett

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Colombard

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Assyrtiko

curated

For someone who wants the bracing acidity without the herbaceous aromatics.

Expect: Far more mineral and saline, fuller in body, and considerably more serious.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Dry Furmint

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

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.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Pouilly-Fumé

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Albariño

curated

A comparably crisp, high-acid Atlantic white for seafood.

Expect: Less pungent, more saline and stone-fruited, with more texture.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Rkatsiteli

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

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

Brda Rebula

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Ribolla Gialla

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Similar but softer

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

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.

Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.

Pecorino

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Champagne

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.

Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.

Austrian Sekt

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

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

English sparkling wine

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Champagne

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.

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.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

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

Rheingau Riesling

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

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

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.

Australian Riesling

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

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

Loureiro

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

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

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Colombard

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Dry Furmint

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

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

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

New Zealand Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Albariño

curated

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

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

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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.

Assyrtiko

curated

For someone who wants the bracing acidity without the herbaceous aromatics.

Expect: Far more mineral and saline, fuller in body, and considerably more serious.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury.

Similar but more floral

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.

Loureiro

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Albariño

curated

A comparably crisp, high-acid Atlantic white for seafood.

Expect: Less pungent, more saline and stone-fruited, with more texture.

Assyrtiko

curated

For someone who wants the bracing acidity without the herbaceous aromatics.

Expect: Far more mineral and saline, fuller in body, and considerably more serious.

Pouilly-Fumé

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.

Similar but fruitier

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Pouilly-Fumé

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Pouilly-Fumé

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

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.

Sancerre

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Pouilly-Fumé

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Albariño

curated

A comparably crisp, high-acid Atlantic white for seafood.

Expect: Less pungent, more saline and stone-fruited, with more texture.

Rías Baixas Albariño

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Assyrtiko

curated

For someone who wants the bracing acidity without the herbaceous aromatics.

Expect: Far more mineral and saline, fuller in body, and considerably more serious.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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.

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.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)

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.

Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.

Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.

A step up

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.

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.