If you like this, try…

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.

← Back to Pinot Noir

Refine

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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it and the earthy, savoury-mineral character, while moving away from too earthy or musty, too peppery, too savoury or funky and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like the earthy, savoury-mineral character and that it is too earthy or musty. Both are about earthy 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.

Morgon

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Gamay

curated

Gamay is Pinot’s offspring and grows next door in Beaujolais. Both are pale, high-acid, red-fruited and low in tannin.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Has noticeably less of the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Loire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less savoury or funky.
About as alcoholic or warming 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.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Bierzo Mencía

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Has noticeably less of the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less peppery.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
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.

Morgon

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.

Gamay

curated

Gamay is Pinot’s offspring and grows next door in Beaujolais. Both are pale, high-acid, red-fruited and low in tannin.

Expect: Simpler and more overtly juicy, though Cru Beaujolais gets remarkably close to Burgundy for a fraction of the price.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Loire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.

Expect: Leafier and more graphite-edged, with slightly firmer tannin.

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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

Loire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.

Expect: Leafier and more graphite-edged, with slightly firmer tannin.

Morgon

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.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 neutral and subtle.

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 neutral and subtle.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella

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

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 neutral and subtle.

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

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

Schiava

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

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

Gamay

curated

Gamay is Pinot’s offspring and grows next door in Beaujolais. Both are pale, high-acid, red-fruited and low in tannin.

Expect: Simpler and more overtly juicy, though Cru Beaujolais gets remarkably close to Burgundy for a fraction of the price.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Morgon

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.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Gamay

curated

Gamay is Pinot’s offspring and grows next door in Beaujolais. Both are pale, high-acid, red-fruited and low in tannin.

Expect: Simpler and more overtly juicy, though Cru Beaujolais gets remarkably close to Burgundy for a fraction of the price.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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 neutral and subtle.

Similar but softer

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

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 neutral and subtle.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more neutral and subtle.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

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.

Morgon

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.

Frühburgunder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Piedirosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Barolo

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

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

Loire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.

Expect: Leafier and more graphite-edged, with slightly firmer tannin.

Similar but more restrained

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.

St Laurent

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but less floral

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

Morgon

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barolo

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Morgon

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

English still Pinot Noir

Both are made from pinot noir.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

Both are made from pinot noir, and both come from the same country.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

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 neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Cabernet Franc

curated

Loire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.

Expect: Leafier and more graphite-edged, with slightly firmer tannin.

Gamay

curated

Gamay is Pinot’s offspring and grows next door in Beaujolais. Both are pale, high-acid, red-fruited and low in tannin.

Expect: Simpler and more overtly juicy, though Cru Beaujolais gets remarkably close to Burgundy for a fraction of the price.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

Something more adventurous

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

Morgon

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A better-value alternative

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

Morgon

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

Syrah

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.

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.