If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 and the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too austere and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about aromatic intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about acidity, 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
curatedEngland’s signature white variety occupies very similar aromatic territory — elderflower, nettle and grapefruit.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
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
curatedEngland’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.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’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.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’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.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vinho Verde
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.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’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.
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 fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’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.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
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.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
English Blanc de Blancs
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.
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.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’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.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, and more savoury.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’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.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth 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.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 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.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’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 riper and less 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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’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 riper and less green.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
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 fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.