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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 earthy, savoury-mineral character and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too peppery and too alcoholic or warming.

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 earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Etna Rosso

curated

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

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Nerello Mascalese

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

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Xinomavro

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

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

curated

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

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Chianti

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

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

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.

Nerello Mascalese

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.

Etna Rosso

curated

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

Expect: Ashier and more smoky, with firmer tannin.

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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 both sit in the same style family.

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

País

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Poulsard

Both come from the same country.

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

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.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

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 fruitier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Etna Rosso

curated

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

Expect: Ashier and more smoky, with firmer tannin.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Nerello Mascalese

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.

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 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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco 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 Grasparossa

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

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

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 broader and softer.

Cava

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

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

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

Etna Rosso

curated

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

Expect: Ashier and more smoky, with firmer tannin.

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Frühburgunder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Piedirosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

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 broader and softer.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

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.

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.

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 less spicy.

Chianti

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.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Chianti

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

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

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 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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

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.

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 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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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

California Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

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.

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.

Chianti

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

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

Barbaresco

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.

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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.

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.

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

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.

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.