If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 that it is properly dry and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too perfumed.
- 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.
Sancerre
curatedThe same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedFor someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sancerre
curatedThe 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
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedFor someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.
Expect: Saline and stone-fruited rather than herbaceous.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedFor someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.
Expect: Saline and stone-fruited rather than herbaceous.
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 riper and less green, and less floral.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
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.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
English Bacchus
curatedEngland’s aromatic white occupies comparable hedgerow-and-citrus territory.
Expect: Lighter and more elderflower-scented, with less tropical fruit.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and riper and less green.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.
Sancerre
curatedThe same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.
Expect: Chalk, flint and blackcurrant leaf in place of passionfruit — a much quieter wine.
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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 riper and less green.
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.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 sweeter, and riper and less green.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Sekt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
English Bacchus
curatedEngland’s aromatic white occupies comparable hedgerow-and-citrus territory.
Expect: Lighter and more elderflower-scented, with less tropical fruit.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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 softer and rounder.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
New Zealand Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Dry Furmint
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.
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.
Sancerre
curatedBoth are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
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 softer and rounder.
Loureiro
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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
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 riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 riper and less green.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
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 riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedFor someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.
Expect: Saline and stone-fruited rather than herbaceous.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda 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.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Sancerre
curatedThe 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
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Sancerre
curatedThe 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
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Friuli white
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
Sancerre
curatedThe 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
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
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.
Sancerre
curatedThe same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.
Expect: Chalk, flint and blackcurrant leaf in place of passionfruit — a much quieter wine.
Pouilly-Fumé
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedFor someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.
Expect: Saline and stone-fruited rather than herbaceous.
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 riper and less green, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
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.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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.