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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.

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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.

I like…

That it is not oaky The herbal, green side How aromatic it is The savoury, meaty side That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too plain or too simple too green or grassy too perfumed too savoury or funky too austere

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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 herbal, green edge, that it is properly dry and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too austere and too green or grassy.

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.
You said you like the herbal, green edge and that it is too green or grassy. Both are about herbal / green character, 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.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Franken Silvaner

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Sancerre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Pouilly-Fumé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Vermentino

Both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Mosel Riesling

Mosel Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Trebbiano Toscano

Trebbiano Toscano scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Mosel Riesling

Mosel Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Riesling

Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Muscadet

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

Furmint scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Assyrtiko

Both are made from assyrtiko, 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.

Bual

Bual scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Albana

Albana scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Kisi

Kisi scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Friuli white

Friuli white 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.

Sancerre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Pouilly-Fumé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

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 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 drier, and riper and less green.

Aidani

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Savatiano

Both are made from savatiano, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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

English sparkling wine scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Champagne

Champagne 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.

English Blanc de Blancs

English Blanc de Blancs 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.

Szamorodni

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

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

Marsala

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Sémillon

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 fruit-driven.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

White Bordeaux

White Bordeaux scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Scheurebe

Scheurebe scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Muscat of Alexandria

Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more floral

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

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.

Sancerre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

English Bacchus

English Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.

Bacchus

Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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

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

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

English Bacchus

English Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.

Bacchus

Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

South African Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Assyrtiko

Both are made from assyrtiko, 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.

Roditis

Both are made from roditis, 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.

Savatiano

Both are made from savatiano, and both come from the same country.

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.

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.

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.

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sancerre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Pouilly-Fumé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 fruit-driven.

Something more adventurous

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.

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.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.

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.

White Burgundy

White Burgundy scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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.

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.

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.