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 fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too tart or sour-fruited, too light or thin and too earthy or musty.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about perceived freshness, 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.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- 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.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Tibouren
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Cinsault
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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 lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Meunier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
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.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
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 fresher.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
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 less floral.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 earthier, and lighter.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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 less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Sémillon
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Primitivo
Primitivo 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.
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 lighter, and less floral.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 lighter, and less floral.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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 lighter, and less floral.
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.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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 lighter, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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.