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 light or thin, too buttery or thick, too sharp or lemony 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.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
- A little less light or thin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- More sharp or lemony, not less.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Verdelho
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- More buttery or thick, not less.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- 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.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly fruity, and far more widely available.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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
Müller-Thurgau scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Colombard
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Colombard
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
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 softer and rounder.
Viognier
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 softer and rounder.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Chardonnay
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.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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 fresher.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Petit Manseng
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Gros Manseng
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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 Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Crémant
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher.
Sauternes
Both are made from sémillon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vin de Constance
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
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.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Verdelho
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly fruity, and far more widely available.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Condrieu
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Gewürztraminer
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
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.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Blanc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Verdelho
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Sercial
Sercial scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Savagnin
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
White Burgundy
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sémillon.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Both are made from sémillon.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sémillon, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly fruity, and far more widely available.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
White Burgundy
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly fruity, and far more widely available.
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.