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 and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too light or thin, 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.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- 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.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- 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.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- 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.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- 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.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- 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.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cinsault
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Petit Verdot
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 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.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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 lighter.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Petit Verdot
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 lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 less floral, and lighter.
Barbera d’Asti
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Meunier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Barbera d’Asti
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
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 broader and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Jaen
Jaen scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Bobal
Bobal scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Cornalin
Cornalin scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Grenache
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington 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.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and broader and softer.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Cru Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Beaujolais
Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in 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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Grenache
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
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.