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 the citrus and green-apple character and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too sharp or acidic and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like the citrus and green-apple character and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the citrus and green-apple character and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. 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.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Sancerre
curatedThe same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedFor someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
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 the citrus and green-apple character.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
English Bacchus
curatedEngland’s aromatic white occupies comparable hedgerow-and-citrus territory.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
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 citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
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
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
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.
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.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
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 fresher, and riper and less green.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
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 fresher, and riper and less green.
English Bacchus
curatedEngland’s aromatic white occupies comparable hedgerow-and-citrus territory.
Expect: Lighter and more elderflower-scented, with less tropical fruit.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more restrained in fruit.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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 fresher, 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
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 fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedFor someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.
Expect: Saline and stone-fruited rather than herbaceous.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Friuli white
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda 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 softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher.
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.
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 softer and rounder.
Pfalz Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Phoenix
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
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 fresher, and riper and less green.
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 softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
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 softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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 softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
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
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.
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.
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 fresher, 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 softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
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 softer and rounder.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
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 fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
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.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Falanghina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 fresher, and more aromatic.
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
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
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.
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 fresher, and less floral.
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.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.
Expect: More citrus and herb, less tropical exuberance.
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.
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 fresher, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher.
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 softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
curatedCasablanca 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 softer and rounder.
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.
Rías Baixas Albariño
curatedFor someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.
Expect: Saline and stone-fruited rather than herbaceous.
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 fresher.
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 fresher, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rueda Verdejo
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
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 fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
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
curatedRueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.
Expect: A bitter-almond finish and much less aromatic volume.
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 fresher, and less floral.
White Bordeaux
Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
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.