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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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, that it is properly dry and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too austere and too tropical or sweet-smelling.

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.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

Both sit in the same style family.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Pecorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.

Welschriesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.

Grechetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.
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.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Muscadet

Both sit in the same style family.

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.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Vidal

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

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

Malvasia

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

Both are made from assyrtiko, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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 fruitier.

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 fruitier.

Rkatsiteli

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

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

Tsolikouri

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

Malvazija Istarska scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Vinho Verde

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Muscadet

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.

Pouilly-Fumé

Pouilly-Fumé scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but softer

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

Silvaner

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

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Müller-Thurgau

Müller-Thurgau scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Franken Silvaner

Both sit in the same style family.

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.

Glera

Glera 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 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.

Crémant

Crémant 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.

Trebbiano Toscano

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

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

Albana

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

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

Welschriesling

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

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

Aidani

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Silvaner

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

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

Vermentino

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Grüner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Pouilly-Fumé

Pouilly-Fumé scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.

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 fruitier.

Similar but more restrained

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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.

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 riper and less green, and drier.

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Aidani

Both come from the same country.

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

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 riper and less green, and drier.

Vin Jaune

Vin Jaune scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Muscadet

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and drier.

Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Vidal

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Roditis

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

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

Both are made from assyrtiko, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Assyrtiko

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

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

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 riper and less green, and drier.

Santorini Assyrtiko

Both are made from assyrtiko, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Assyrtiko

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

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

Roditis

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

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

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.

Vinho Verde

Both sit in the same style family.

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

English Bacchus

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 riper and less green, and drier.

White Burgundy

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

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.

Chablis

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.