If you like this, try…
Wines like Grolleau
A high-yielding Loire variety used principally for Rosé d’Anjou. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Grolleau?
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 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".
- 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 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
Looking for something moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting, too alcoholic or warming and too plain or too simple.
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.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Poulsard
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
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.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Doux Naturel
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
Late Bottled Vintage Port scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Port
Port scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Zweigelt
Zweigelt scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
St Laurent
St Laurent scores closest to Grolleau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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.