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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 citrus and green-apple character and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too sharp or lemony.

You said you like the citrus and green-apple character and that it is too sharp or lemony. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the citrus and green-apple character 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.

Torrontés

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Verdejo

curated

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Scheurebe

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Vin Jaune

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less sharp or lemony.

White Bordeaux

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Retsina

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Rueda Verdejo

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Pecorino

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

Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Torrontés

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

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

Verdejo

curated

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

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Vin Jaune

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Torrontés

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

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Vin Jaune

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 fresher, and fruitier.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Kabinett

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Vin Jaune

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

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

Pfalz Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Torrontés

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

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Vin Jaune

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

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Brda Rebula

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Torrontés

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

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

The sparkling version

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

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Champagne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.

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 fruitier, and sweeter.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Sauternes

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Auslese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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.

Torrontés

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

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Retsina

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

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

Pecorino

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

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

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 less oaky.

Friuli white

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

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

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and riper and less green.

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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 fruitier, and fresher.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Retsina

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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.

Similar but more floral

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

Torrontés

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

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Similar but less floral

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

Vin Jaune

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

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Retsina

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

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

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.

Similar but more savoury

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

Vin Jaune

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

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 softer and rounder.

Muscat of Alexandria

Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Condrieu

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

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

White Bordeaux

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

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

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.

Sancerre

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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.

Sancerre

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Sauternes

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

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.

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.

Sancerre

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Albariño

curated

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Torrontés

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

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Vin Jaune

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

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

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 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.

Torrontés

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

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

Verdejo

curated

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

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

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Vin Jaune

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

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.