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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 moving away from too floral or soapy, too peppery 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 peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Valpolicella

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 peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Oregon Pinot Noir

curated

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

About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Merlot

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
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 peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Barbera

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

The 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 peppery.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

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 spicy, and less floral.

Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less 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.

Merlot

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.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Merlot

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.

Morgon

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

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

Barbera

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

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

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 less spicy, and more floral.

Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less spicy, and less floral.

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 less spicy, and more floral.

Alpine white

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

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

Colombard

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 spicy.

Hondarrabi Zuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Merlot

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Merlot

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.

Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

English sparkling rosé

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Muscat Bailey A

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

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 spicy, and less floral.

Castelão

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

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

Refosco

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

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

Frühburgunder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less spicy, and less floral.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

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.

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 less spicy.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Sémillon

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

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

Gavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Graciano

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

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.

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 less spicy.

Valpolicella

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

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

Morgon

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

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

Merlot

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.

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.

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 less spicy, and less floral.

Morgon

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

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

Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Merlot

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.

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 spicy, 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 less spicy, and more savoury.

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.

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 less spicy, 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.

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 spicy, and less floral.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

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 spicier, and less floral.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.

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 spicy, 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 less spicy, and more savoury.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Merlot

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.

Barbera

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicy, and less floral.

Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Morgon

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

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 spicy, and less floral.

Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Morgon

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

A step up

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 more savoury, and spicier.

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.

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.