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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 how light and easy it feels and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too light or thin.

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 how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about alcohol, 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.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Barbera

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Valpolicella

curated

Another light, high-acid, cherry-scented red made for the table.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
About as light or thin as the wine you started from.

Chianti Classico

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Baga

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Bairrada Baga

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
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.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

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 broader and softer.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Barbera

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Barbera

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

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.

English still Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Poulsard

Both come from the same country.

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.

Valpolicella

curated

Another light, high-acid, cherry-scented red made for the table.

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

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.

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Austrian Riesling

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

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

Petit Manseng

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 fruitier.

Savennières

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 restrained in fruit.

Dry Furmint

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Chianti Classico

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

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

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 broader and softer.

Refosco

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

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

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 less floral, and more oaky.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Barbera

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Similar but softer

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 broader and softer, and less floral.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Saperavi

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.

Refosco

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Cornalin

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Barbera

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Baga

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

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 more floral.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Blanc

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.

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Barbaresco

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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 more oaky.

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 broader and softer.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Barbera

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

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

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Chianti Classico

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Zinfandel

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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 broader and softer.

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.

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 broader and softer.

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.

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.

Barbera

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

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 broader and softer.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Valpolicella

curated

Another light, high-acid, cherry-scented red made for the table.

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

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.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

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 broader and softer.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Baga

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

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

A step up

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

Barbera

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

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.