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

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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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too light or thin.

You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, 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.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Syrah

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

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.

Beaujolais

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

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

Cinsault

curated

Another light, juicy, low-tannin red that suits a chill.

Expect: Slightly rounder and more southern in character.

Valpolicella

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

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

Frappato

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but less tannic

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

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Pfalz Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but softer

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

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 broader and softer, and lighter.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Vin Doux Naturel

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.

Condrieu

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.

Similar but more restrained

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Tannat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and broader and softer.

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.

Similar but less floral

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

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Similar but more savoury

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

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Primitivo

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Gamay across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Something more adventurous

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

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

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 broader and softer, and lighter.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.

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.