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 keeping the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too savoury or funky and too oaky or woody.
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.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
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.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
Gros Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and leaner and more cutting.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and leaner and more cutting.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Canadian Icewine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Eiswein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
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 and more acidic.
Franken Silvaner
Franken Silvaner scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Friulano
Friulano scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Both are made from sémillon.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sémillon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
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.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sémillon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sémillon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
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.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
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 more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly fruity, and far more widely available.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
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.