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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.

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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.

I like…

The bright red fruit The rich dark fruit How light it is How smooth and soft it is How fresh and crisp it is

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too light or thin too soft or too easy too alcoholic or warming too sharp or acidic too floral or soapy

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.
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 and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too light or thin.

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 come from the same country.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Bonarda

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Bobal

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Corvina

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

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 come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Bobal

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.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Corvina

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.

Poulsard

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

English still Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Schiava

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

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

Morgon

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 less floral, and more savoury.

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Bonarda

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.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Petit Manseng

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.

Pfalz Riesling

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Godello

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Bobal

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

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.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

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

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.

Bobal

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

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

Corvinone

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

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

Trincadeira

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

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

Refosco

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.

Pinotage

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Corvina

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

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 lighter, and more floral.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Sémillon

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.

Similar but more floral

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

Cru Beaujolais

curated

The same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.

Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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.

Morgon

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 more savoury, and less floral.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and broader and softer.

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 broader and softer, and fruitier.

Primitivo

Primitivo scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 come from the same country.

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

Cru Beaujolais

curated

The 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Cru Beaujolais

curated

The 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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.

Morgon

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 less floral, and more savoury.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Bobal

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

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.

Rioja Crianza

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.