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 keeping how smooth and easy it is to drink and that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming.
- You said you like that it is not too alcoholic and that it is too alcoholic or warming. Both are about alcohol, 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.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Molinara
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
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 leaner and more cutting.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Friulano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Nerello Cappuccio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Molinara
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
English sparkling rosé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more savoury.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and leaner and more cutting.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
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.