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Wines like Red Burgundy

Pinot Noir at its most perfumed and site-specific: pale, silky, high in acid, and the reference point for the variety worldwide. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Red Burgundy

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What do you like about Red Burgundy?

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 fresh and crisp it is The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or acidic too alcoholic or warming too floral or soapy too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

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 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 spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
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.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something keeping the earthy, savoury-mineral character and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too earthy or musty.

You said you like the earthy, savoury-mineral character and that it is too earthy or musty. Both are about earthy character, 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.

Oregon Pinot Noir

curated

The New World region that most consistently reproduces Burgundy’s balance of red fruit, acidity and savoury character.

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

The same grape from Baden and the Ahr, much improved and still underpriced.

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Chianti

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

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Chilean Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Chianti Classico

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

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Baga

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

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

curated

The New World region that most consistently reproduces Burgundy’s balance of red fruit, acidity and savoury character.

Expect: Slightly riper and more consistent, at lower prices.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

The same grape from Baden and the Ahr, much improved and still underpriced.

Expect: Slightly darker-fruited and less earthy.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Chianti Classico

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

English still Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

País

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

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

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.

Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.

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

Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Hunter Valley Semillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

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 fruitier, and more floral.

Gamay

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Gamay

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Molinara

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Chilean Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Cava

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Frühburgunder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Piedirosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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.

Gamay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Silvaner

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

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

Gavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Cortese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Similar but more floral

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

Cru Beaujolais

curated

Next door, from Pinot’s offspring, and the classic affordable substitute.

Expect: More overtly juicy and granitic, less earthy complexity.

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

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 fruitier, and more floral.

St Laurent

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

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

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

The same grape from Baden and the Ahr, much improved and still underpriced.

Expect: Slightly darker-fruited and less earthy.

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.

English still Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

curated

The New World region that most consistently reproduces Burgundy’s balance of red fruit, acidity and savoury character.

Expect: Slightly riper and more consistent, at lower prices.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

California Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir.

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

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

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.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Chianti Classico

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

curated

The New World region that most consistently reproduces Burgundy’s balance of red fruit, acidity and savoury character.

Expect: Slightly riper and more consistent, at lower prices.

Sangiovese

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

The same grape from Baden and the Ahr, much improved and still underpriced.

Expect: Slightly darker-fruited and less earthy.

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

The same grape from Baden and the Ahr, much improved and still underpriced.

Expect: Slightly darker-fruited and less earthy.

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

A step up

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.