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 light or thin.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels 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.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. 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.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
St Laurent
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- 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.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Trousseau
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 spicier.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Pinot Noir
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 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.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more tannic and structured.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more tannic and structured.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pecorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and sweeter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more tannic and structured.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and stiller.
Crémant
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 sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Pinot Noir
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 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 more oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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 softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pinot Blanc
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Pinot Noir
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 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 more oaky.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
St Laurent
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more tannic and structured.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more tannic and structured.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Pinot Noir
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 oaky.
Red Burgundy
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 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.