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Wines like Beaujolais

Light, juicy Gamay, often made by carbonic maceration — the archetypal chillable red. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Beaujolais?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

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

But it’s a bit…

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

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
How light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.

Looking for something keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming 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.

Zweigelt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Valpolicella

curated

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Morgon

Both are made from gamay, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Nerello Cappuccio

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

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

St Laurent

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

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

Frühburgunder

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

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

Piedirosso

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
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.

Zweigelt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Valpolicella

curated

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

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Zweigelt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Nerello Cappuccio

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

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

St Laurent

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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

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

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

Schiava

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.

Valpolicella

curated

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

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Zweigelt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Nerello Cappuccio

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Gros Manseng

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Petite Arvine

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

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Zweigelt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Nerello Cappuccio

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

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

Frühburgunder

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

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

Piedirosso

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 in alcohol, and more floral.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Seyval Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Grigio

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Cortese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 broader and softer.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

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 lighter in alcohol.

Zweigelt

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

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

Ciliegiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Cappuccio

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

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 savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

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 savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

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 lighter in alcohol, 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 in alcohol, and more floral.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Zweigelt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Valpolicella

curated

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

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

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

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

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.

Zweigelt

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Nerello Cappuccio

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

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

A step up

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Grenache

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

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.