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Wines like Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Explosively aromatic passionfruit, gooseberry and cut grass — a flavour that had no real precedent when it appeared in the 1980s. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc?

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.

I like…

The tropical fruit The citrus and orchard fruit How fresh and crisp it is The herbal, green side How aromatic it is That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too sharp or lemony too sharp or acidic too green or grassy too perfumed too floral or soapy

Clear all

What these words mean

The tropical fruit: Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
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 fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
The herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
How aromatic it is: Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too perfumed and too sharp or acidic.

You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic 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.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Verdejo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Sancerre

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.
About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Pecorino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less perfumed.
About as sharp or acidic 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.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Verdejo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Sancerre

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Expect: Chalk, flint and blackcurrant leaf in place of passionfruit — a much quieter wine.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Verdejo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Pecorino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

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.

Parellada

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

English Bacchus

curated

England’s aromatic white occupies comparable hedgerow-and-citrus territory.

Expect: Lighter and more elderflower-scented, with less tropical fruit.

Mantinia Moschofilero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.

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.

Mantinia Moschofilero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Moschofilero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Hunter Valley Semillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and riper and less green.

New Zealand Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Fiano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Verdejo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

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 broader and softer, and riper and less green.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Kisi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Istrian Malvazija

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.

Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Franciacorta

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.

Méthode Cap Classique

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.

California traditional-method sparkling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

English Bacchus

curated

England’s aromatic white occupies comparable hedgerow-and-citrus territory.

Expect: Lighter and more elderflower-scented, with less tropical fruit.

Phoenix

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.

Rheinhessen Riesling

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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 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.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.

Pecorino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

New Zealand Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Torrontés

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.

Mantinia Moschofilero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Pecorino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Torrontés

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.

Mantinia Moschofilero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Moschofilero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.

Loureiro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Grillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.

Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

New Zealand Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

Sancerre

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Expect: Chalk, flint and blackcurrant leaf in place of passionfruit — a much quieter wine.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more restrained in fruit.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.

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.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Sancerre

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Expect: Chalk, flint and blackcurrant leaf in place of passionfruit — a much quieter wine.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

Sancerre

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Expect: Chalk, flint and blackcurrant leaf in place of passionfruit — a much quieter wine.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sancerre

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Expect: Chalk, flint and blackcurrant leaf in place of passionfruit — a much quieter wine.

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.

Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

Sancerre

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Expect: Chalk, flint and blackcurrant leaf in place of passionfruit — a much quieter wine.

Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Australian Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Verdejo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Retsina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

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.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Verdejo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Australian Chardonnay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

South African Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.

How these are chosen

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.