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 herbal, green edge, that it is properly dry and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from 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.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less austere.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less austere.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less austere.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Pecorino
Pecorino scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Rueda Verdejo
Rueda Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Verdejo
Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
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
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.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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 more aromatic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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 more aromatic.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 lighter.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Pecorino
Pecorino scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Rueda Verdejo
Rueda Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Albana
Albana scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli 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.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
South African Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
Muscadelle
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Ortega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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.
Prosecco
Prosecco 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.
Sekt
Sekt 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.
Finger Lakes Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
Rueda Verdejo
Rueda Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Verdejo
Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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 more aromatic.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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 aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Vermentino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Furmint
Furmint 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 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 more aromatic.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé 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.
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 more aromatic.
Rueda Verdejo
Rueda Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
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.
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
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 more aromatic.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Pecorino
Pecorino scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Rueda Verdejo
Rueda Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Welsh white wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Pecorino
Pecorino scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Rueda Verdejo
Rueda Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé 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.