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 and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, 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.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- 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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Welsh white wine
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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Grillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- 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.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, 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.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, 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.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
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 sweeter.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
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.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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 sweeter.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
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 floral.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, 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 fruitier.
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 floral.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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 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.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Nahe Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 floral.
Aidani
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 sweeter.
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 floral.
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 floral.
Prosecco
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 aromatic.
Glera
Glera 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 sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
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 sweeter.
Finger Lakes Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Petite Arvine
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 sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
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.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe 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.
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 riper and less green.
Savatiano
Both are made from savatiano, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Roditis
Both are made from roditis, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Welsh white wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Sancerre
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 savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
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.
Qvevri amber wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
Fino and Manzanilla sherry scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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
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.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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.
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 neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle.
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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.
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.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
English Bacchus
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.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 oaky, 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.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 oaky, 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 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.
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.