If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 moving away from too floral or soapy, too sharp or acidic and too savoury or funky.
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.
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.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
curatedThe same grape from Baden and the Ahr, much improved and still underpriced.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 less spicy.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Franciacorta
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
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 less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Port
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more oaky.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
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 more restrained in fruit.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 more savoury, and more floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cru Beaujolais
curatedNext door, from Pinot’s offspring, and the classic affordable substitute.
Expect: More overtly juicy and granitic, less earthy complexity.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 fruitier, and less floral.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 less spicy.
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.
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 less spicy.
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 less floral, 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 more savoury, 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 more savoury, and less floral.
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.
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 less spicy.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 more savoury, 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 more savoury, and less floral.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
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 more savoury, 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 lighter.
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 more savoury, 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.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
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.
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 less spicy.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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.
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 less spicy.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 more savoury, and less floral.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
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.