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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Rueda Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
South African Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
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 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.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Australian Riesling
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 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 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.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Australian Riesling
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 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 lighter.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Coteaux du Layon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 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.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Istrian Malvazija
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Riesling
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 more floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and riper and less green.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
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 less oaky.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Pfalz Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 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.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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 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 riper and less green.
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Istrian Malvazija
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.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
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 fresher and more acidic.
Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
English Bacchus
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Qvevri amber wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Alvarinho (Monção e Melgaço)
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Riesling
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 more floral.
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 more neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
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 more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
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 more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Vinsanto (Santorini)
Both are made from assyrtiko, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
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 more neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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
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 more floral.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Rías Baixas Albariño
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 more floral.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
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 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.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
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 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.
Verdejo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Australian Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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.