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.

← Back to Red Burgundy

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.

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 alcoholic or warming and too earthy or musty.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Sagrantino

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Oregon Pinot Noir

curated

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.

California Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Grenache

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

Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Sagrantino

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

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

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 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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Sagrantino

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

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

Grenache

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

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

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

País

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Poulsard

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

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 lighter.

Beaujolais

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.

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 lighter.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Sagrantino

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

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

Grenache

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Grenache

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

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

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 fruitier.

Shiraz

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

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but softer

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Grenache

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

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

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 fruitier.

Syrah

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 broader and softer.

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

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tawny Port

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

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Frühburgunder

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.

Piedirosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.

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 more oaky.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Shiraz

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Red Burgundy across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and earthier.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.

Malbec

Malbec 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 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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.

Sagrantino

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

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

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 more aromatic.

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 more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Australian Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and 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 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 floral.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but fruitier

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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.

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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

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.

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 softer and rounder.

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 softer and rounder.

Sonoma Coast 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 earthier.

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 lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

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 more herbal and green.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

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 lighter.

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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Grenache

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

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

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 fruitier.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Something more adventurous

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Sagrantino

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

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

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 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.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Sagrantino

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

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

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 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.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.

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.