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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 and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too savoury or funky and too floral or soapy.

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.

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.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.

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.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Barbera

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.

Valpolicella

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.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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.

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 floral, and broader and softer.

Barbera

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

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

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.

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 less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 floral, and lighter.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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

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

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

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, and more restrained in fruit.

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

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

País

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

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

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 lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Alpine white

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Hunter Valley Semillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 floral.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

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 broader and softer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

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 floral, and broader and softer.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

English sparkling rosé

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

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

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 floral.

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Prokupac

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Castelão

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Gamay

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more floral.

Nebbiolo

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

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

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 less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.

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

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

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 less floral, 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 less floral, and broader and softer.

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 floral, and lighter.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

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 floral.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

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 less floral, 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 less floral, and broader and softer.

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 floral, and lighter.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

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 floral, and broader and softer.

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 more savoury, 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 more savoury, and less floral.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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.

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, and more restrained in fruit.

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 more savoury, and more floral.

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 floral, and broader and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

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 floral, and broader and softer.

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 more savoury, and less floral.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

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

Barbera

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Chianti

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

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

Gamay

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

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

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.

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 floral, and lighter.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

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 floral, and broader and softer.

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.

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 floral, and lighter.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

A step up

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fuller and richer.

Sangiovese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.