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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 that it is properly dry, while moving away from too sharp or acidic.

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 that it is properly dry.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Grüner Veltliner

curated

Both are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
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 that it is properly dry.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

White Bordeaux

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Friuli white

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Vermentino

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Pecorino

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Torrontés

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
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.

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.

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 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

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.

Vermentino

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

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

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Koshu

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

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

Parellada

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Chardonnay

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

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

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

Douro white

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

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 more savoury.

Verdejo

curated

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

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

White Bordeaux

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

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

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.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Friuli white

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

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

Kisi

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Tsolikouri

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

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.

Altesse

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

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

Arneis

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Avesso

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Franciacorta

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

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

Méthode Cap Classique

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

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

California traditional-method sparkling

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

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Garganega

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

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

Slavonian Graševina

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

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graševina

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Pecorino

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

Retsina

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

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

Falanghina

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chardonnay

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Falanghina

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 restrained

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

Altesse

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Auxerrois

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Avesso

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

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

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 riper and less green, and more floral.

Falanghina

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Friuli white

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

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

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 less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Retsina

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

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 savoury, and less oaky.

Similar but fruitier

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

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 fresher and more acidic, 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 sweeter, and softer and rounder.

Condrieu

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

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

Viognier

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

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 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 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 fuller and richer, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

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.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Friuli white

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

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 restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 fresher and more acidic, 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.

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.

Pinot Grigio

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

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

Chardonnay

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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.

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 more savoury.

Verdejo

curated

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

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

White Bordeaux

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

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

Friuli white

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

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

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 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and more neutral and subtle.

Friuli white

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

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

A step up

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

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.