If you like this, try…
Wines like Vermentino
A saline, citrusy Mediterranean white grown in Sardinia, Liguria, Tuscany and Provence. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Vermentino?
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.
- 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 herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- 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 moving away from too alcoholic or warming, too savoury or funky, too green or grassy and too sharp or lemony.
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.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Müller-Thurgau
Müller-Thurgau scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Roditis
Roditis scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Gros Manseng
Gros Manseng scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Petite Arvine
Petite Arvine scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
German dry Riesling (trocken) scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Prosecco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Asti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Moscatel de Setúbal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Chilean Chardonnay
Chilean Chardonnay scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Friuli white
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Chasselas
Chasselas scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Sercial
Sercial scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Friulano
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.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
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.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Glera
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Albariño
curatedBoth are saline, citrusy whites made for seafood.
Expect: More stone fruit and a rounder texture, without the bitter-almond finish.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Vermentino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
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.