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Wines like Pinot Noir

A thin-skinned, difficult, site-sensitive variety that produces the most perfumed and transparent red wines in the world. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Pinot Noir?

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…

How aromatic it is The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too alcoholic or warming too floral or soapy too perfumed too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

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.
How aromatic it is: Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
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 perfumed, too alcoholic or warming and too earthy or musty.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Sagrantino

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Red Bordeaux

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Carignan

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Areni

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Dão

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less perfumed.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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 herbal and green.

Australian 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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

A similarly high-acid, medium-bodied, savoury red from central Europe.

Expect: More peppery and darker-fruited, with firmer tannin.

Nerello Mascalese

curated

Etna’s Nerello Mascalese shares Pinot’s pale colour, high acidity, fine tannin and transparency to site.

Expect: More volcanic, ashy and savoury, with a firmer tannic frame.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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.

English still Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir.

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

Poulsard

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.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tibouren

Both come from the same country.

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.

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

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

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

Schiava

Schiava scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Chianti

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Chianti

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Languedoc red

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 fruitier.

Grenache

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 more sparkling.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Tinta Negra

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

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian 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.

Carignan

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 oaky.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

curated

Both are pale, perfumed, high-acid reds that reward age and reveal their site.

Expect: Dramatically more tannic. Nebbiolo demands food and patience in a way Pinot does not.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Dão

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Australian 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.

Carignan

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 less spicy.

Hemel-en-Aarde 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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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 more fruit-driven.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

curated

Both are pale, perfumed, high-acid reds that reward age and reveal their site.

Expect: Dramatically more tannic. Nebbiolo demands food and patience in a way Pinot does not.

Négrette

Both come from the same country.

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

Areni

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

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

Australian 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.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Chilean 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.

Grenache

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

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

A similarly high-acid, medium-bodied, savoury red from central Europe.

Expect: More peppery and darker-fruited, with firmer tannin.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde 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.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Oregon 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 earthier.

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 earthier.

English still 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 fruit-driven.

Red Burgundy

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 lighter in alcohol, and earthier.

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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Australian 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.

Hemel-en-Aarde 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.

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.

Red Bordeaux

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 herbal and green.

Rioja

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

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

A similarly high-acid, medium-bodied, savoury red from central Europe.

Expect: More peppery and darker-fruited, with firmer tannin.

Nerello Mascalese

curated

Etna’s Nerello Mascalese shares Pinot’s pale colour, high acidity, fine tannin and transparency to site.

Expect: More volcanic, ashy and savoury, with a firmer tannic frame.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Australian 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.

Hemel-en-Aarde 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.

A step up

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

Red Bordeaux

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 herbal and green.

Rioja

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

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

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.