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 the savoury, non-fruity character and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too perfumed.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 lighter in alcohol.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Friulano
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.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 lighter in alcohol.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Friulano
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.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 fresher and more acidic.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Txakoli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 lighter in alcohol.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Friulano
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.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rkatsiteli
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.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Ribolla Gialla
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Carricante
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.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Greco
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Savatiano
Both are made from savatiano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.
English Blanc de Blancs
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.
Corpinnat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 lighter in alcohol.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Friulano
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.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and 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.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Athiri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
Muscadet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Palomino Fino
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 fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Verdelho
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Savatiano
Both are made from savatiano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
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.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 lighter in alcohol.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Friulano
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.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 lighter in alcohol.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Friulano
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.
Juhfark
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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.