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.

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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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How fresh and crisp it is The floral character

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too alcoholic or warming too light or thin too sharp or acidic too floral or soapy too earthy or musty

Clear all

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 floral, perfumed side and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too earthy or musty and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral character, 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.

Gamay

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Loire Cabernet Franc

curated

Comparable weight, freshness and food-friendliness.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Beaujolais

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Langhe Nebbiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.

Loire Cabernet Franc

curated

Comparable weight, freshness and food-friendliness.

Expect: Leafier and more graphite-edged.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Beaujolais

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 in alcohol, 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.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Barbera

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 in alcohol.

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more 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.

Beaujolais

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 in alcohol, and lighter.

Cinsault

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Valpolicella

Valpolicella scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Frappato

Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

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 in alcohol, and lighter.

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 in alcohol, and more aromatic.

Beaujolais

Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 fuller and richer.

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.

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.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.

Barbera

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 in alcohol.

Pinot Meunier

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.

Barbera d’Asti

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 in alcohol.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 less floral, and lighter in alcohol.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

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 less floral, and lighter in alcohol.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Barbera d’Asti

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 in alcohol.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

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.

Alentejo red

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 broader and softer, and less floral.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Pinot Meunier

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.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 lighter in alcohol.

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.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barbera

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 in alcohol.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

Alsace Riesling

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 more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

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.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Beaujolais

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 in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barbera

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 in alcohol.

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.

Négrette

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.

Frappato

Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.

Uco Valley Malbec

Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.

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 less floral.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Beaujolais

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 in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Red Burgundy

curated

The classic upgrade path, from Pinot’s offspring to Pinot itself.

Expect: More earthy complexity and perfume, at several times the price.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

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 broader and softer, 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.

Barbera d’Alba

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

California Rhône blend

California Rhône blend 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.

Beaujolais

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 in alcohol, and lighter.

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 lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

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 in alcohol.

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 less floral, and fuller and richer.

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 lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.

Beaujolais

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 in alcohol, and lighter.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.

Beaujolais

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 in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barbera

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 in alcohol.

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.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 less floral, and lighter in alcohol.

Syrah

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.

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.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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.

How these are chosen

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.