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.
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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.
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.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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 leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Müller-Thurgau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and drier.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
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 fruitier.
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.
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 acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
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 softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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 leaner and more cutting, and less oaky.
Moscato d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fruitier.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Sémillon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more fruit-driven.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Recioto della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Vin de Constance
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Malagousia
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 softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
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 more savoury.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder, and drier.
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 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.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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 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.
White Burgundy
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Friuli white
Friuli white 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 more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 softer and rounder, and less oaky.
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.
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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.
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.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
curatedA comparably low-aromatic, textural white that rewards oak, lees and time.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly fruity, and far more widely available.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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.