If you like this, try…
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.
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.
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 keeping the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming 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.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from cinsault, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- 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.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Light-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader 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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more herbal and green.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cinsault, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from cinsault, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Languedoc red
Both are made from cinsault, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Jumilla Monastrell
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cava
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.
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 broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Australian Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Oregon Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
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.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Morgon
Both are made from gamay, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
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.