If you like this, try…
Wines like Grüner Veltliner
Austria’s signature white: dry, high in acid, with a white-pepper and lentil savouriness found in almost no other variety. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Grüner Veltliner?
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
- 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 spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- 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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too green or grassy and too alcoholic or warming.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Finger Lakes Riesling scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
English still white
English still white scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Picpoul de Pinet
Picpoul de Pinet scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Picpoul
Picpoul scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
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.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Gros Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
White Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Marsala
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Savennières
Savennières scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Austrian Sekt
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Grüner Veltliner
Both are made from grüner veltliner, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Godello
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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 lighter in alcohol.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Grüner Veltliner across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
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.