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.
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.
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 green or grassy.
- 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.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
- 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 green or grassy.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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 green or grassy.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
- 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.
- About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- 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 green or grassy.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- 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 green or grassy.
Welsh white wine
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 green or grassy.
Vermentino
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 green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.
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 softer and rounder.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Assyrtiko
curatedFor someone who wants the bracing acidity without the herbaceous aromatics.
Expect: Far more mineral and saline, fuller in body, and considerably more serious.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Savagnin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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.
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 softer and rounder.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
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.
Ribolla Gialla
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.
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.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
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 riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Szamorodni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.
Ribolla Gialla
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 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 softer and rounder.
Chenin Blanc
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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.
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 riper and less green, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
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
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.
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 softer and rounder.
Brda Rebula
Brda Rebula scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 softer and rounder.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Pouilly-Fumé
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 fresher.
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.
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 riper and less green.
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 softer and rounder.
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.
Friuli white
Both are made from sauvignon blanc.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Sancerre
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 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.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
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 softer and rounder.
Rueda Verdejo
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Sancerre
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 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
curatedBoth are dry, high-acid, herbal whites with a green, savoury edge.
Expect: White pepper and lentil-like savouriness in place of gooseberry and passionfruit.
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.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 softer and rounder.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
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 softer and rounder.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is the closest Spanish equivalent — herbal, citrusy and crisp.
Expect: A touch rounder, with a bitter-almond finish.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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
White Burgundy scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 riper and less green.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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.