If you like this, try…
Wines like Retsina
Greek white flavoured with Aleppo pine resin during fermentation — a genuine traditional style, and a much better wine than its reputation. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Retsina?
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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- 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 savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- 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, while moving away from too perfumed, too green or grassy and too austere.
- You said you like that it is properly dry and that it is too austere. Both are about sweetness, 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.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Toscano scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Toscano scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Trebbiano Romagnolo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
Müller-Thurgau scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
English still white
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Franken Silvaner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
Müller-Thurgau scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
English sparkling wine
English sparkling wine scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Cava
Cava scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Franken Silvaner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
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.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Savatiano
Both are made from savatiano, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
Savatiano
Both are made from savatiano, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
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.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.