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 bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too sharp or acidic.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, 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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- About as sharp or acidic as the wine you started from.
Cinsault
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.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
País
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.
- A little 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.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
Zweigelt
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.
- 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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Négrette
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 fuller and richer.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
Cinsault
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 oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Négrette
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 fuller and richer.
Cinsault
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 oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
English still Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Grolleau
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 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
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 more restrained in fruit.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
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 fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Muscadelle
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 fuller and richer.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and broader and softer.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
Négrette
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
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.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Oregon Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Négrette
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 fuller and richer.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fuller and richer.
Grolleau
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 more restrained in fruit.
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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Négrette
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 fuller and richer.
Cinsault
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
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 fuller and richer.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
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 fuller and richer.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
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 fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fuller and richer.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fuller and richer.
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.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and broader and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Négrette
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 fuller and richer.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
País
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 more restrained in fruit.
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 fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
País
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 more restrained in fruit.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
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 fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
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 fuller and richer.
Australian Pinot Noir
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
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.
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 fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Négrette
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 fuller and richer.
Cinsault
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 oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Négrette
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 fuller and richer.
Cinsault
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 oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedThe same grape and region, from the ten named granite hills.
Expect: More structure, darker fruit and real ageing capacity.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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.