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.

← Back to Retsina

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.

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 moving away from too green or grassy and 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.

Vermentino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Grüner Veltliner

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Franken Silvaner

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Santorini Assyrtiko

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Savatiano

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Roditis

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
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.

Vermentino

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 more oaky.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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 spicier.

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Franken Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.

Vermentino

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 more oaky.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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 spicier.

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Franken Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.

Txakoli

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Alpine white

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Alpine white

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Txakoli

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Vinho Verde

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Assyrtiko

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

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

Soave Classico

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Greco di Tufo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Vermentino

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 more oaky.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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 spicier.

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

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 riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Istrian Malvazija

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Brda Rebula

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Assyrtiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chablis

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 more oaky.

Picpoul de Pinet

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 lighter.

Similar but softer

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Savatiano

Both are made from savatiano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Roero Arneis

Both sit in the same style family.

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.

Glera

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

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

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 more sparkling.

Cava

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

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

Franciacorta

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

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

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 sweeter.

Welschriesling

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Vermentino

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 less oaky.

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.

Mantinia Moschofilero

Both come from the same country.

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

Moschofilero

Both come from the same country.

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

Torrontés

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Vermentino

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 more oaky.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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 spicier.

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Soave

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 more oaky.

Welsh white wine

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

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

Roero Arneis

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 more fruit-driven.

Sancerre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

Vin Jaune

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

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Vidiano

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Avesso

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

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Godello

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 softer and rounder.

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 fuller and richer.

Assyrtiko

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

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

Savatiano

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

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

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 lighter.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Assyrtiko

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

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

Roditis

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

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

Grüner Veltliner

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

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Chablis

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Pinot Grigio

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Vermentino

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 more oaky.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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 spicier.

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.

Vermentino

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 more oaky.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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 spicier.

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Australian Chardonnay

Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

White Burgundy

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

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

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.