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 the herbal, green edge and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too austere and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like that it is properly dry and that it is too austere. Both are about sweetness, 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.
Welsh white wine
Both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tropical or sweet-smelling, not less.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is properly dry, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tropical or sweet-smelling, not less.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Has noticeably less of that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Welsh white wine
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Welsh white wine
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Vinho Verde
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Vidal
Vidal scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Koshu
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Istrian Malvazija
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Tsolikouri
Tsolikouri scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
English still white
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.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Aidani
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Franken Silvaner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Crémant
Crémant scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Glera
Glera scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Austrian Sekt
Austrian Sekt scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Albana
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
White Bordeaux
White Bordeaux scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains 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.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 drier, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Sémillon
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.
Welsh white wine
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Franken Silvaner
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Bacchus
Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Rueda Verdejo
Rueda Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Verdejo
Verdejo scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.
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.
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.
English Bacchus
English Bacchus scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Sancerre
Sancerre scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Welsh white wine
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Vermentino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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 drier.
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.