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 tropical, exotic fruit and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too sharp or lemony and too austere.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too sharp or lemony. Both are about fruit 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.
Bacchus
curatedEngland’s signature white variety occupies very similar aromatic territory — elderflower, nettle and grapefruit.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less austere.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
- Has noticeably less of the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
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.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
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 fresher.
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.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 fresher.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Wachau Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Szamorodni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
Scheurebe
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 more neutral and subtle.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Welschriesling
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 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 more neutral and subtle.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Furmint
Furmint 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.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
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.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Scheurebe
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.
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 riper and less green, and fruitier.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 more neutral and subtle.
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 fresher.
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.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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.
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.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Spätlese
Spätlese 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.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 neutral and subtle.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 fresher.
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 fresher.
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.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 neutral and subtle.
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.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Sancerre
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
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.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
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.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
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.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.