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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.

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.

Gamay

Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.

Valpolicella

curated

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.

Cinsault

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.

Pinot Meunier

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.

Frappato

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.

Muscat Bailey A

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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 fuller and richer, and more aromatic.

Valpolicella

curated

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

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Cinsault

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Cinsault

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

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

Pinot Meunier

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Frappato

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

Kabinett

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

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

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

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

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

Kabinett

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

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

Mantinia Moschofilero

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

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

Loureiro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Areni

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

Similar but less tannic

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.

Falanghina

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Loureiro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Moschofilero

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Bonarda

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Négrette

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 floral.

Tinta Barroca

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and sweeter.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and sweeter.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Corvinone

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Dornfelder

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.

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 less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Cinsault

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Dornfelder

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

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 fuller and richer, and earthier.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinot Grigio

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

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

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Cortese

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

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

Seyval Blanc

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.

Frappato

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

Négrette

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 neutral and subtle.

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.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Areni

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

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

Barbera

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

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

Bonarda

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Similar but more savoury

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.

Bierzo Mencía

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Primitivo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

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.

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 fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

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.

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 fuller and richer, and more aromatic.

Cru Beaujolais

curated

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

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

Barbera

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Something more adventurous

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

Valpolicella

curated

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

Expect: More sour cherry and almond, less banana.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Cinsault

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

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

Pinot Meunier

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Cinsault

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

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

Pinot Meunier

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Frappato

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

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 more savoury, and less floral.

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

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.