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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, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too sharp or acidic.

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.

Grenache

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Zinfandel

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Négrette

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Tinta Barroca

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grenache

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 more savoury.

Zinfandel

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

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

Négrette

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

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Grenache

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 more savoury.

Zinfandel

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

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

Négrette

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

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

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

Poulsard

Both come from the same country.

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

English still Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Cinsault

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

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

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.

Grenache

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 more savoury.

Zinfandel

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

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

Négrette

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

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Grenache

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 more savoury.

Négrette

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

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 lighter in alcohol.

Malagousia

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

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

Pošip

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

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

Antão Vaz

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 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 fruitier, and more savoury.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grenache

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 more savoury.

Similar but fresher

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

Graciano

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

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.

Barbera d’Asti

Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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 more savoury.

Similar but softer

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

California Rhône blend

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

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

Grenache

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 more savoury.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Négrette

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Jaen

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

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

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

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 broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Grenache

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 more savoury.

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grenache

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

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 lighter in alcohol.

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

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.

Grenache

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 more savoury.

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Négrette

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.

Négrette

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

A step up

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

Grenache

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 more savoury.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.