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Wines like Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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What do you like about Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

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

But it’s a bit…

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

Clear all

What these words mean

The tropical fruit: Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
The citrus and orchard fruit: Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
The herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
How aromatic it is: Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something keeping how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

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.

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.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

Torrontés

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

Moschofilero

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

Scheurebe

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

curated

Casablanca sits stylistically between the Loire and Marlborough.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of 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 more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Torrontés

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 floral.

Moschofilero

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 riper and less green, and more floral.

Torrontés

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 floral.

Moschofilero

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

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.

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 riper and less green, and more floral.

Moschofilero

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

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

English Bacchus

curated

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

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

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätlese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Vin Jaune

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

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

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

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 more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Torrontés

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 floral.

Moschofilero

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malvasia

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

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Moschofilero

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Scheurebe

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Asti

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

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

Moscato d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and sweeter.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Auslese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.

Sauternes

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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 riper and less green, and more floral.

Torrontés

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 floral.

Moschofilero

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

White Bordeaux

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 less oaky.

Sauternes

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amontillado sherry

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Palo Cortado

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Torrontés

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

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

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 riper and less green, and less oaky.

Moschofilero

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

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.

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 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 restrained in fruit.

Similar but more floral

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

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 riper and less green, and less oaky.

Moschofilero

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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 floral

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

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 restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

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.

Vin Jaune

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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

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

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

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.

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.

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 fuller and richer, 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.

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 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 fuller and richer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Sauternes

Both are made from sauvignon blanc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Friuli white

Both are made from sauvignon blanc.

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

Rueda Verdejo

curated

Rueda Verdejo is herbal and crisp in a similar register.

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

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 more restrained in fruit, 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.

English Bacchus

curated

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Something more adventurous

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

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 riper and less green, and more floral.

Torrontés

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 floral.

Moschofilero

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

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.

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 riper and less green, and more floral.

Torrontés

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 floral.

Moschofilero

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

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

Scheurebe

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

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

A step up

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

Tokaji Aszú

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.

Barbaresco

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

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.