If you like this, try…
Wines like Poulsard
A very pale Jura red, so light in colour it is often mistaken for rosé. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Poulsard?
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.
- 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 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
Looking for something keeping how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too earthy or musty, too tart or sour-fruited and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. 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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Merlot
Both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Crianza
Rioja Crianza scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Nero d’Avola
Nero d’Avola scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- 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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Merlot
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Merlot
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.
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.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
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.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Barbera
Barbera scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Molinara
Molinara scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Merlot
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Agiorgitiko
Agiorgitiko scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Alentejo red
Alentejo red scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Mourvèdre
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Beaujolais
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Zweigelt
Zweigelt scores closest to Poulsard 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.
Merlot
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Rioja Crianza
Rioja Crianza scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Syrah
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Red Bordeaux
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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.