If you like this, try…
Wines like Sémillon
A thin-skinned, botrytis-prone variety essential to Sauternes and to a unique long-lived dry style in the Hunter Valley. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Sémillon?
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 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 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.
- 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.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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.
- The touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something moving away from too sharp or lemony, too sweet and too savoury or funky.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less sweet.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
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.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 drier, and fresher.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Chenin Blanc
curatedBoth are waxy, high-acid, ageworthy varieties made dry and sweet.
Expect: Higher acidity and a quince-and-honey rather than lanolin character.
Gros Manseng
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Austrian Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Auslese
Auslese scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Moscato d’Asti
Moscato d’Asti scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
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.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sercial
Sercial scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Savennières
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Both are made from sémillon.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sémillon.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sémillon, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
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.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly fruity, and far more widely available.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
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.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly fruity, and far more widely available.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
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.