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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 that it is properly dry and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too tropical or sweet-smelling.

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

curated

The same grape at the restrained end of the spectrum.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

For someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
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 that it is properly dry.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
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.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.

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.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Austrian Riesling

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Albariño

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little 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.

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.

Rías Baixas Albariño

curated

For someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.

Expect: Saline and stone-fruited rather than herbaceous.

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 savoury.

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

curated

For 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.

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.

Albariño

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

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

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.

Alpine white

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

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

Colombard

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

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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

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

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

Loureiro

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

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

Colombard

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

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

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.

Assyrtiko

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

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

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.

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.

Greco

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

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

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.

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 savoury.

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

curated

For someone who likes the freshness but finds the aromatics overwhelming.

Expect: Saline and stone-fruited rather than herbaceous.

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

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

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

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

Ribolla Gialla

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

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

Brda Rebula

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

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

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.

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.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Champagne

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

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

Austrian Sekt

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

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

Sekt

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.

English Blanc de Noirs

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.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

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

Rheingau 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.

English Bacchus

curated

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

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

Alsace Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be 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.

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.

Australian Riesling

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

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

Loureiro

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

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

Colombard

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sancerre

curated

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 more savoury.

Loureiro

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

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

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 softer and rounder.

Alsace Riesling

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Aligoté

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alpine white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Arinto

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

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

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 softer and rounder.

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Torrontés

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 aromatic.

Similar but less floral

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

Aligoté

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

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

Alpine white

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

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

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.

Arinto

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

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

curated

Casablanca 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.

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.

Similar but fruitier

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

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 more aromatic, and more savoury.

Loureiro

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

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

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 savoury, and less floral.

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.

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 less floral, and more savoury.

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.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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.

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 restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.

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 lighter, and less floral.

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

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.

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

curated

For 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

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 less floral, 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.

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.

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 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 savoury.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

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

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.

A step up

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.