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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 savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming and too savoury or funky.

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

Grenache

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

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

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.

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

California Rhône blend

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Shiraz

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Areni

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

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.

Grenache

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

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

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 Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Grenache

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

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

California Rhône blend

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

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.

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 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 more restrained in fruit.

País

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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 more restrained in fruit.

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.

Grenache

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

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Grenache

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Petit Verdot

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 more tannic and structured.

Similar but softer

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

Grenache

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

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

California Rhône blend

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more sparkling.

Similar but sweeter

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

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.

Prokupac

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

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

Castelão

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

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

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

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.

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 more aromatic.

California Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.

Shiraz

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 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.

California Rhône blend

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Barolo

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

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

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.

Taurasi

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Grenache

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

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

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 Rhône blend

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

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

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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.

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.

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 more savoury.

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.

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 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 lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 fruitier, 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 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 lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

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 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.

Grenache

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

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

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.

Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

California Rhône blend

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Areni

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

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

California Rhône blend

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Areni

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

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

A step up

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Syrah

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

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

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.