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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 and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too green or grassy and too savoury or funky.

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.

Rueda Verdejo

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Verdejo

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Pecorino

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less savoury or funky.

Sancerre

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less savoury or funky.

English Bacchus

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Bacchus

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

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Verdejo

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Verdejo

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

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

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

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

Bacchus

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

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

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Kabinett

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

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

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loureiro

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

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.

Wachau 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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Pfalz Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malagousia

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 fruit-driven.

Vidal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Verdejo

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Istrian Malvazija

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Brda Rebula

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Pouilly-Fumé

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.

Similar but softer

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

Malagousia

Both come from the same country.

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

Solaris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Maria Gomes

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscadelle

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sekt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Prosecco

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

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

Austrian Sekt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

English Bacchus

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

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

Bacchus

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

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

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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Finger Lakes Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Rueda Verdejo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky.

Verdejo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky.

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

White Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough 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.

Similar but more restrained

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

Vermentino

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.

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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 more fruit-driven.

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Godello

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

English Bacchus

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

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

Bacchus

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

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

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more savoury, and riper and less green.

Vin Jaune

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Pecorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but fruitier

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Verdejo

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

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

Assyrtiko

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

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

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 more savoury.

Savatiano

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

Assyrtiko

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

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

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 more savoury.

Roditis

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

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

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.

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

English Bacchus

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

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

Pouilly-Fumé

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Verdejo

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

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.

Rueda Verdejo

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

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

Verdejo

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

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

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

South African Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

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 more savoury.

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

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 savoury.

White Burgundy

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

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

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.