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 keeping the bright red-fruited character and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too earthy or musty.
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.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Loire Cabernet Franc
curatedComparable weight, freshness and food-friendliness.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more sparkling.
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.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mondeuse Noire
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Fer Servadou
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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Mondeuse Noire
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.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more sparkling.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more sparkling.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Mondeuse Noire
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Blanc
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.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Red Burgundy
curatedThe classic upgrade path, from Pinot’s offspring to Pinot itself.
Expect: More earthy complexity and perfume, at several times the price.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and broader and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more sparkling.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
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.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more sparkling.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
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.