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 sharp or acidic, too alcoholic or warming and too earthy or musty.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- 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 floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Négrette
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.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Négrette
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.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Cinsault
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Négrette
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.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Meunier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 lighter in alcohol.
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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Langhe Nebbiolo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Barbera
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Barbera d’Asti
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Grenache
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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
Lambrusco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Glera
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.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Zinfandel
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.
Négrette
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.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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 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.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
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 less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but 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 lighter in alcohol.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Cahors
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.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Négrette
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.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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.
Négrette
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.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 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 less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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.