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Wines like Sauvignon Blanc

A pungently aromatic variety whose character swings from flinty and restrained in the Loire to explosively tropical in Marlborough. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Sauvignon Blanc?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The tropical fruit The citrus and orchard fruit How fresh and crisp it is The herbal, green side How aromatic it is That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too sharp or lemony too sharp or acidic too green or grassy too perfumed too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The tropical fruit: Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
The citrus and orchard fruit: Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
The herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
How aromatic it is: Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something keeping the herbal, green edge and that it is properly dry.

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 the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.

Sancerre

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.

Rueda Verdejo

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.

Pecorino

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.

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.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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.

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.

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 herbal and green, and more savoury.

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.

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.

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 sweeter, and more floral.

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Txakoli

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

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

Similar but lower in alcohol

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Assyrtiko

curated

For someone who wants the bracing acidity without the herbaceous aromatics.

Expect: Far more mineral and saline, fuller in body, and considerably more serious.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

Dry Furmint

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Verdejo

curated

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Kisi

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but softer

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

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.

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 broader and softer.

Verdejo

curated

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Austrian Sekt

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

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

Crémant

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

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

English sparkling wine

English sparkling wine scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

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 sweeter, and more floral.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Welsh white wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 softer and rounder.

Retsina

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

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

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 riper and less green, and less oaky.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

Both come from the same country.

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

Dry Furmint

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 earthier.

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.

Similar but more restrained

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury.

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 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 earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more floral

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

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 sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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.

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 herbal and green, and more savoury.

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.

Pecorino

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

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

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 earthier.

Similar but fruitier

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Condrieu

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

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

Viognier

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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 more savoury.

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.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Sancerre

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.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Pouilly-Fumé

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 earthier.

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 riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

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.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Rueda Verdejo

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.

Verdejo

curated

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

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

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.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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.

Rueda Verdejo

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.

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 riper and less green, 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 riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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