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 it is properly dry and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too light or thin and too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Roditis
Both come from the same country.
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.
Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
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.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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 more savoury, and lighter.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vidiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer 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.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Cortese
Cortese scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chasselas
Chasselas scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Greco
Greco scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Assyrtiko
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
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 more savoury.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
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.