If you like this, try…
Wines like Cru Beaujolais
Gamay from the ten named granite hills — structured, mineral and ageworthy, and nothing like Beaujolais Nouveau. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Cru Beaujolais?
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 fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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 moving away from too earthy or musty, too tart or sour-fruited and too sharp or acidic.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Tibouren
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Asti
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Barbera
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Vin Doux Naturel
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Gewürztraminer
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and broader and softer.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
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.