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 alcoholic or warming, too peppery and too sharp or acidic.
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.
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.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or 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.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Franciacorta
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Dão
Dão scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Argentine Cabernet Franc scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter in alcohol.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
St Laurent
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Oregon Pinot Noir
curatedThe 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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.