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 it is properly dry and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too green or grassy and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
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.
Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Vermentino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, 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 fruitier.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
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
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 fruitier.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, 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 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.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, 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 fruitier.
Koshu
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 structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Tsolikouri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Koshu
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.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 softer and rounder.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Cava
Cava scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 fruitier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscadet
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 neutral and subtle.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Melon de Bourgogne
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Avesso
Avesso scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Australian Riesling
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Grillo
Grillo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, 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 fruitier.
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.
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 softer and rounder.
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 fruitier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, 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 fruitier.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, 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 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.
Pinot Grigio
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 fruitier.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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 oaky.
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, 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 fruitier.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Muscadet
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 fresher and more acidic.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, 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 fruitier.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
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.
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.
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.