If you like this, try…
Wines like Savatiano
Greece’s most planted variety, traditionally the base of Retsina and now producing serious old-vine whites. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Savatiano?
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
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- The creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too buttery or thick and too light or thin.
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.
Retsina
Both are made from savatiano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less light or thin.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less light or thin.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less light or thin.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Retsina
Both are made from savatiano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Picpoul de Pinet
Picpoul de Pinet scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Parellada
Parellada scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tsolikouri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Retsina
Both are made from savatiano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Cava
Cava scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Verdelho
Verdelho scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Sercial
Sercial scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Alsace Riesling
Alsace Riesling scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Gros Manseng
Gros Manseng scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Vidiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Retsina
Both are made from savatiano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Retsina
Both are made from savatiano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
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.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Retsina
Both are made from savatiano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Retsina
Both are made from savatiano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.