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.

← Back to Sauvignon Blanc

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.

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 herbal, green edge, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling, too austere and 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.

Bacchus

curated

England’s signature white variety occupies very similar aromatic territory — elderflower, nettle and grapefruit.

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Verdejo

curated

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Grüner Veltliner

curated

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Welsh white wine

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
A little less sharp or acidic.

English Bacchus

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Pecorino

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Welschriesling

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Albana

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Substantially less austere.
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.

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.

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.

Welsh white wine

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

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

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.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Similar but lower in alcohol

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

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 drier.

Vinho Verde

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

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

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 fruitier.

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Welschriesling

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 Bordeaux

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Albana

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

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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.

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Welschriesling

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

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

Albana

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 Bordeaux

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cava

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Méthode Cap Classique

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Welschriesling

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

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

Albana

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Welschriesling

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

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

Albana

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

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

Retsina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

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.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

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 drier, and less oaky.

Albana

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 drier, and fruitier.

Similar but more floral

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

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 drier, and fruitier.

Scheurebe

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Albana

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 Bordeaux

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

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.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Retsina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but fruitier

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

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.

Spätlese

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

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

Petit Manseng

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Sancerre

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

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

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 and more acidic.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Sancerre

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

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

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 and more acidic.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

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 drier, and riper and less green.

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sancerre

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Welschriesling

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.

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.

Welsh white wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

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.

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.

Australian Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.