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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 tropical, exotic fruit and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too sharp or lemony and too sharp or acidic.

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.

Verdejo

curated

Rueda 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.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Rueda Verdejo

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Keeps the herbal, green edge.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Grüner Veltliner

curated

Both 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.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Pecorino

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Keeps the herbal, green edge.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Bacchus

curated

England’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.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Retsina

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Keeps the herbal, green edge.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

White Bordeaux

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

Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Verdejo

curated

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

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.

Pecorino

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

Retsina

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

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

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.

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.

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.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Parellada

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Welsh white wine

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

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

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.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mosel Riesling

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

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

Kabinett

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pfalz Riesling

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.

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

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 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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

Tsolikouri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Istrian Malvazija

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

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 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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

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.

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.

Franciacorta

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

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

Méthode Cap Classique

Méthode Cap Classique 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 sweeter

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

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.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.

Pecorino

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

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

Retsina

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

White Burgundy

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 aromatic

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

Torrontés

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

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

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 fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

Similar but more floral

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

Torrontés

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 fruitier.

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.

English Bacchus

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

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

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

Retsina

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

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

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.

Retsina

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

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

Pecorino

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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

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 fresher and more acidic.

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 softer and rounder.

Condrieu

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

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

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

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

White Bordeaux

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

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

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

White Bordeaux

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

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

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 fresher and more acidic.

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.

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.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Something more adventurous

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle, 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.

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

curated

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Pecorino

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

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

Retsina

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

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

A step up

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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