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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

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 keeping that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too green or grassy.

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 the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less green or grassy.

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.

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.

Savatiano

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Roditis

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Vermentino

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

Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Australian Riesling

Both sit in the same style family.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Picpoul de Pinet

Both sit in the same style family.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less green or grassy.

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Pecorino

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

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

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

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.

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Pecorino

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

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

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

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.

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.

Muscadet

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Kabinett

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

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

Muscadet

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Mosel Riesling

Mosel Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Austrian Riesling

Austrian Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Greco

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

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

Kisi

Kisi 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 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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Pecorino

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

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

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

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.

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.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Tsolikouri

Tsolikouri 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 fresher

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

Australian Riesling

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Carricante

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

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.

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 riper and less green.

Athiri

Both come from the same country.

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

Palomino Fino

Palomino Fino scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 more floral.

Glera

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

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

Prosecco

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

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 sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

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

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.

Aidani

Both come from the same country.

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

Finger Lakes Riesling

Finger Lakes Riesling 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

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.

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 riper and less green.

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rueda Verdejo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 riper and less green, and more floral.

Torrontés

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

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

Moschofilero

Both come from the same country.

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.

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

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.

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 riper and less green.

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.

Similar but more floral

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

Both come from the same country.

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

Torrontés

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

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

Moschofilero

Both come from the same country.

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

Scheurebe

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

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

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 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 oaky.

Qvevri amber wine

Qvevri amber wine scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 riper and less green.

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Australian Riesling

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Grillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 more oaky.

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.

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 more oaky.

Roditis

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

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

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.

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

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Pinot Grigio

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sancerre

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Pecorino

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

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

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

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.

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Pecorino

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

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

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

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.

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 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.

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.