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, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too sharp or acidic and too earthy or musty.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too sharp or acidic. 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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
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.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- 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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Jaen
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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, and fresher and more acidic.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and 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 less floral.
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 fresher and more acidic, 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 fresher, 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 fresher, 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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 less floral.
Alentejo red
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 less floral.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
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 less floral.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Cinsault
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.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pinot Meunier
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 fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Mondeuse Noire
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dornfelder
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.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cinsault
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Merlot
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Grenache
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and broader and softer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Languedoc red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 fresher and more acidic, 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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 fresher and more acidic, 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.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Jaen
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.
Dornfelder
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.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Jaen
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.
Dornfelder
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.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.