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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too green or grassy and too savoury or funky.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of 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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- 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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of 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.
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.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Australian Riesling
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 floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Australian Riesling
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 floral.
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.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Txakoli
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 restrained in fruit.
Mantinia Moschofilero
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.
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.
Mantinia Moschofilero
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.
Moschofilero
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.
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.
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.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
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.
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.
Ribolla Gialla
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Tsolikouri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Malvasia
Malvasia scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Australian Riesling
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 floral.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Nahe Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 more restrained in fruit.
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.
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.
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.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Mantinia Moschofilero
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.
Moschofilero
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.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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 fruit-driven, 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 more restrained in fruit.
Verdelho
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Mantinia Moschofilero
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.
Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
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.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Australian Riesling
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 floral.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nahe Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
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 more restrained in fruit.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
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 more restrained in fruit.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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.
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.
Australian Riesling
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 floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Mosel Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
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.
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.
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.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.