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, that it is properly dry and the savoury, non-fruity character.
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.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Chablis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is properly dry.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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.
Txakoli
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 more fruit-driven.
Alpine white
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 more fruit-driven.
Hondarrabi Zuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
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
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.
Alpine white
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 more fruit-driven.
Txakoli
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 fruit-driven.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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 more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Savatiano
Both are made from savatiano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Franken Silvaner
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.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
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 sweeter, and more sparkling.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Valais Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Moschofilero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, 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 more savoury.
Greco di Tufo
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
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.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 savoury, and more aromatic.
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 savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Fino and Manzanilla sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Qvevri amber wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
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 savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more fruit-driven.
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.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Savatiano
Both are made from savatiano, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruit-driven, 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.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Pouilly-Fumé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and earthier.
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 savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Chablis
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Assyrtiko
Both are made from assyrtiko, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Austrian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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.