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 light or thin and too tart or sour-fruited.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about body, 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.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Carignan
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 more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Carignan
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 more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tibouren
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
País
País scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 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.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Chianti Classico
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 herbal and green.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
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 fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Barbera d’Asti
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 fruitier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti Classico
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 herbal and green.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Mourvèdre
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.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and broader and softer.
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 lighter, and fresher.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Carignan
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 more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
Red Bordeaux
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 more herbal and green.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Carignan
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 more tannic and structured.
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.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Carignan
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 more tannic and structured.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Red Bordeaux
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 more herbal and green.
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.