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 keeping the earthy, savoury-mineral character, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too alcoholic or warming.
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
curatedThe New World region that most consistently reproduces Burgundy’s balance of red fruit, acidity and savoury character.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Bekaa Valley Red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
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
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.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
País
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Poulsard
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 fuller and richer.
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.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 softer and rounder.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbera
Barbera scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 fuller and richer.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Jumilla Monastrell
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less floral.
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 floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Frühburgunder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Piedirosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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 more floral.
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.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Douro red
Douro red scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Jumilla Monastrell
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 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 floral.
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 floral.
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 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.
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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in 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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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 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.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Etna Rosso
curatedPale, high-acid and transparent to site, from volcanic Sicily.
Expect: Ashier and more smoky, with firmer tannin.
Bekaa Valley Red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Bekaa Valley Red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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 less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.