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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 moving away from too alcoholic or warming, too floral or soapy and too soft or too easy.

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.

Carignan

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.

Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Schiava

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

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

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.

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

Both come from the same country.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Carignan

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

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

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

Baga

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Port

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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.

Carignan

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

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and both come from the same country.

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

Cru Beaujolais

curated

The 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 both come from the same country.

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

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.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carignan

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

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

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carignan

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

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

A step up

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.