If you like this, try…
Wines like Beaujolais
Light, juicy Gamay, often made by carbonic maceration — the archetypal chillable red. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about 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.
- The rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- 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.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- 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.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
Looking for something keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too floral or soapy 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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Poulsard
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 more restrained in fruit.
English still Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Grolleau
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 more restrained in fruit.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Grolleau
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 more restrained in fruit.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Grenache
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 more savoury.
Merlot
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.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Auxerrois
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.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Valpolicella
curatedAnother light, high-acid, cherry-scented red made for the table.
Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.
Mondeuse Noire
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Barbera
Barbera scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
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 less floral.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
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.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
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 more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Pinot Blanc
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 more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Merlot
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Morgon
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 more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Mourvèdre
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
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 come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Gamay
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
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.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Grenache
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 more savoury.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Grenache
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 more savoury.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
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.