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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

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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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling, too sharp or lemony and too austere.

You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about aromatic 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.

Scheurebe

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less austere.

Chenin Blanc

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

Has noticeably less of how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less austere.

Welschriesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less austere.

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less austere.

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less austere.

Bacchus

curated

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.

Vidal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less austere.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Welschriesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

Scheurebe

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Welschriesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Riesling

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

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 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.

Kabinett

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Vinho Verde

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Welschriesling

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

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malvasia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Brda Rebula

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Welschriesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Champagne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Crémant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Szamorodni

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Welschriesling

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

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Chenin Blanc

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vidal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petite Arvine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chenin Blanc

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 floral

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vidal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petite Arvine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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 softer and rounder.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

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.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

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 more neutral and subtle.

Sancerre

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

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

White Bordeaux

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

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.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sancerre

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Welschriesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Scheurebe

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

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

Welschriesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

White Burgundy

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, 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.