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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

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.
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, while moving away from too austere.

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.

English Bacchus

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.

Bacchus

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Keeps the herbal, green edge.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Silvaner

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.

Albana

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.

Welschriesling

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

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Substantially less austere.

Aidani

Both come from the same country.

Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
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.

English Bacchus

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

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

Bacchus

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

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

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

English Bacchus

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

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

Bacchus

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

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

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

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.

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mosel Riesling

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

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

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.

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 lighter.

Riesling

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

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

Spätlese

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

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

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Vidal

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

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 fruit-driven.

Petit Manseng

Petit Manseng scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Furmint

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

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

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.

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Silvaner

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

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

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Albana

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

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 fruit-driven.

English Bacchus

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

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

Bacchus

Bacchus 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.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Finger Lakes Riesling

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

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

Petite Arvine

Petite Arvine scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Riesling

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

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

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

Both come from the same country.

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

Muscadelle

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

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

Ortega

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Vouvray

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

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

Asti

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

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Glera

Glera 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.

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 more floral.

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.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

English Bacchus

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

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

Bacchus

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Sémillon

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Scheurebe

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

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Silvaner

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

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

Sémillon

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

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

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.

Albana

Albana 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 floral

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

English Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Silvaner

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

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 drier, and riper and less green.

Bacchus

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bacchus

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Spätlese

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

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

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.

English Bacchus

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Riesling

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

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.

Bacchus

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

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

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Silvaner

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

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

Albana

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

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

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.

Bacchus

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

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

Welsh white wine

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Silvaner

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

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

Albana

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

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

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.