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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 keeping the fresh, crisp acidity and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming, too savoury or funky and too peppery.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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

curated

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Etna Rosso

curated

Pale, high-acid and transparent to site, from volcanic Sicily.

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Barbera

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less peppery.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less peppery.

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.

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less peppery.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

The same grape from Baden and the Ahr, much improved and still underpriced.

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Cru Beaujolais

curated

Next door, from Pinot’s offspring, and the classic affordable substitute.

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less peppery.

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

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.

Etna Rosso

curated

Pale, high-acid and transparent to site, from volcanic Sicily.

Expect: Ashier and more smoky, with firmer tannin.

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 less spicy.

Barbera

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

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.

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Etna Rosso

curated

Pale, high-acid and transparent to site, from volcanic Sicily.

Expect: Ashier and more smoky, with firmer tannin.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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.

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 lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Beaujolais

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 more fruit-driven.

Molinara

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less spicy.

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.

Loire Cabernet Franc

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.

Valpolicella

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

curated

Pale, high-acid and transparent to site, from volcanic Sicily.

Expect: Ashier and more smoky, with firmer tannin.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

English sparkling rosé

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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Tinto Cão

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

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

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.

Refosco

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

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

Graciano

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

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

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 fruit-driven.

Similar but more restrained

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

Gavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cortese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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 softer and rounder, and lighter in alcohol.

Refosco

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

Barolo

Barolo 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.

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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 softer and rounder, and lighter in 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.

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

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.

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 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 softer and rounder, 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 softer and rounder, and lighter in alcohol.

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

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.

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 less spicy.

English still Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

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 softer and rounder, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

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.

Barbera

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

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

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Etna Rosso

curated

Pale, high-acid and transparent to site, from volcanic Sicily.

Expect: Ashier and more smoky, with firmer tannin.

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 less spicy.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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 softer and rounder, 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.

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 less spicy.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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 softer and rounder, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

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 lighter in alcohol.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

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.