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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 how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too soft or too easy.

You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too alcoholic or warming. Both are about alcohol, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less soft or too easy.

Valpolicella

curated

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

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
About as soft or too easy as the wine you started from.

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Poulsard

Both come from the same country.

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

English still Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Schiava

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

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 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.

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but softer

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

Négrette

Both come from the same country.

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

Jumilla Monastrell scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Syrah

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

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.

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fuller and richer.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Beaujolais across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Ruby Port

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

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

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 fuller and richer.

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

Both come from the same country.

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

Prokupac

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro 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 more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Prokupac

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Areni

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

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.

Similar but less floral

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Prokupac

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Areni

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

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

Morgon

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

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

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.

Oregon Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both come from the same country.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both come from the same country.

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

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.