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Wines like Light-bodied dry red

Pale, low-tannin reds with bright acidity and red-fruit character — the reds that suit a light chill and don’t overwhelm food. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Light-bodied dry red

Refine

What do you like about Light-bodied dry red?

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 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 floral or soapy too earthy or musty

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.
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.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.

Looking for something moving away from too tart or sour-fruited, too earthy or musty, too soft or too easy and too light or thin.

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.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Valais Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valais Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

Both are made from schiava.

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

English still Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

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.

Colorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fer Servadou

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Bobal

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Bobal

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alicante Bouschet

Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Languedoc red

Both are made from cinsault, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 lighter.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barroca scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet franc.

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Carignan

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

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvinone

Corvinone scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Trincadeira

Trincadeira scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet franc.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

English still Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir.

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Languedoc red

Both are made from cinsault, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from cinsault, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.