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, while moving away from too plain or too simple 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Alpine white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Brda Rebula
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Etna Bianco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Slavonian Graševina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
English still white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Retsina across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Koshu
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 less oaky.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 fruitier, and less oaky.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Amontillado sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Palo Cortado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Vidiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
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 less oaky, 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.
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 fruitier, and less oaky.
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 fruitier, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, 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 less oaky, 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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Vermentino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Vermentino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.