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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.

← Back to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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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 the herbal, green edge, the fresh, crisp acidity and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too floral or soapy.

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.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Sancerre

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Retsina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

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 neutral and subtle, 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.

Retsina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Verdejo

Verdejo scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

English Bacchus

curated

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

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

Txakoli

Txakoli scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Alpine white

Alpine white scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Alpine white

Alpine white scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Riesling

Riesling scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Colombard

Colombard scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

Wachau Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Austrian Riesling

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Vin Jaune

Vin Jaune scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Petit Manseng

Petit Manseng scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

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 neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

Trebbiano Spoletino scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Brda Rebula

Brda Rebula scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Ribolla Gialla

Ribolla Gialla scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but softer

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

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

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

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Verdejo

Verdejo scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sekt

Sekt scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Champagne

Champagne scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Crémant

Crémant scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Austrian Sekt

Austrian Sekt scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Eiswein

Eiswein scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Tokaji Aszú

Tokaji Aszú scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Sauternes

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

Auslese

Auslese scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

Wachau Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Austrian Riesling

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Bordeaux

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

Dry Furmint

Dry Furmint scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Furmint

Furmint scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Sancerre

curated

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Scheurebe

Scheurebe scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Moschofilero

Moschofilero scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

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 neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Similar but more savoury

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

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 neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Similar but fruitier

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

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

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

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 neutral and subtle, 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.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

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

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

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 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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca 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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

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 neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

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

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

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

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

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.

Retsina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

curated

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

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.

Retsina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Australian Chardonnay

Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Chardonnay

Chardonnay scores closest to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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