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 smooth and easy it is to drink, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too tart or sour-fruited.
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Grenache
Both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Grenache
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Grenache
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
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 in alcohol, and lighter.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
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 fresher.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 fresher.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Négrette
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.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Clairette
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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Grenache
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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
Barbera scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Chianti
Chianti scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Molinara
Molinara scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Ruby Port
Ruby Port scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca 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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
California Rhône blend
California Rhône blend scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Merlot
Both come from the same country.
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.
Cabernet Franc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Syrah
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Tinta Negra
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 lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Cabernet Franc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Mourvèdre
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Corvinone
Corvinone scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Trincadeira
Trincadeira scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Grenache
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Southern Rhône blend
Both come from the same country.
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Chianti
Chianti scores closest to Poulsard across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
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.