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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 fresh, crisp acidity and how smooth and easy it is to drink, while moving away from too light or thin and too floral or soapy.

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.

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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 fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Valpolicella

curated

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Barbera

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Corvina

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Chilean Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

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 tannic and structured, and less floral.

Valpolicella

curated

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

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

Barbera

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

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

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.

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

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 lighter in alcohol.

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.

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.

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.

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 in alcohol, and lighter.

Valpolicella

curated

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

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

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 more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

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 tannic and structured, and less floral.

Similar but less tannic

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

Savennières

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

White Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Petit Manseng

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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 tannic and structured, and less floral.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chilean Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

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.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Merlot

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

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.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

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.

Corvinone

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.

Trincadeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Corvina

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

Barbaresco

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Sémillon

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 tannic and structured, and less floral.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Primitivo

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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 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 more tannic and structured, 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 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 fresher and more acidic.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

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 tannic and structured, and less floral.

Valpolicella

curated

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

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.

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 tannic and structured, and less floral.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

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 fresher and more acidic.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

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.