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 floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too sharp or acidic and too light or thin.
- 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and broader and softer.
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.
Cinsault
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 broader and softer.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Meunier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbera d’Asti
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Petit Verdot
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 broader and softer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 lighter.
Chianti Classico
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
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 less floral, and lighter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Doux Naturel
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Cornalin
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more 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 lighter.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Grenache
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.
Cahors
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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Cahors
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.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Northern Rhône Syrah
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.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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.
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 lighter.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Cahors
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.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Cahors
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.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 lighter, and broader and softer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
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.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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.