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, while moving away from too savoury or funky 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.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as savoury or funky 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.
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 more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Colombard
Colombard 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.
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.
Vidal
Vidal scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
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 more floral.
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 more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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 spicier.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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 sweeter.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Sekt
Sekt 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.
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 fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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 more floral.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 more restrained in fruit.
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 more floral.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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.
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 savoury, and lighter.
Friuli white
Friuli white scores closest to Savatiano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
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.
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.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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 more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 more floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.