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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.

← Back to Cru Beaujolais

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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, while moving away from too light or thin, too tart or sour-fruited and too sharp or acidic.

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.

Australian Grenache

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less sharp or acidic.

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 light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Malbec

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Dão

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
A little less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Australian Grenache

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 fruitier.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 fruitier.

Cahors

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 less floral.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Australian Grenache

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 fruitier.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 fruitier.

Cahors

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 less floral.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

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.

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

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

Portugieser

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

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

Schiava

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

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

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.

Australian Grenache

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 fruitier.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 fruitier.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Cahors

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 less floral.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Australian Grenache

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 fruitier.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 fruitier.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

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 less floral.

Gamay

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Pinot Meunier

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Roussanne

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 less floral.

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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 fruitier.

Cahors

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 less floral.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

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.

Etna Rosso

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

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.

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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Syrah

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.

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 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 fruitier.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fresher and more acidic.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Doux Naturel

Both come from the same country.

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

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, and broader and softer.

Canaiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jaen

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 fruitier.

Tempranillo

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

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 fruitier.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.

Malagousia

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Similar but more restrained

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

Cahors

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 less floral.

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 fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

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.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Frappato

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Syrah

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.

Malbec

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

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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.

Mourvèdre

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.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Zinfandel

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

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 fruitier, and broader and softer.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

Gamay

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

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.

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, 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.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Syrah

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.

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 fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

Something more adventurous

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

Australian Grenache

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 fruitier.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 fruitier.

Cahors

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 less floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

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.

Australian Grenache

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 fruitier.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 fruitier.

Cahors

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 less floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

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 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 fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.

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.