If you like this, try…

Wines like Gamay

Beaujolais’ grape: pale, juicy, low in tannin and high in acid, with a distinctive violet-and-cherry lift. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Gamay

Refine

What do you like about Gamay?

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.

I like…

The bright red fruit The rich dark fruit How smooth and soft it is How fresh and crisp it is How aromatic it is

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too soft or too easy too alcoholic or warming too light or thin too floral or soapy too perfumed

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
How light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
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 floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.

Looking for something keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too alcoholic or warming and too soft or too easy.

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

St Laurent

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less 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.

Schiava

curated

An Alpine red of similar delicacy and pale colour.

Expect: Even lighter, with an almost strawberry-and-almond character.

Beaujolais

Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Valpolicella

Valpolicella scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Poulsard

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

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.

Mondeuse Noire

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.

Fer Servadou

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Alicante Bouschet

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Jumilla Monastrell

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Blaufränkisch

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Refosco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

Baga

Baga scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less floral.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Corvinone

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more floral.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.

Négrette

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.

Carignan

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

Red Bordeaux

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Beaujolais

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Cru Beaujolais

Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Cru Beaujolais

Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Beaujolais

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

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.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

How these are chosen

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.