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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.
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, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too peppery.
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.
Gamay
curatedGamay 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.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Cabernet Franc
curatedLoire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less peppery.
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.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Chilean 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.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Gamay
curatedGamay 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.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Cabernet Franc
curatedLoire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.
Expect: Leafier and more graphite-edged, with slightly firmer tannin.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Cabernet Franc
curatedLoire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.
Expect: Leafier and more graphite-edged, with slightly firmer tannin.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Gamay
curatedGamay 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.
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.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
English still 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 less spicy.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Gamay
curatedGamay 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’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Champagne
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 less spicy, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Frühburgunder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Nebbiolo
curatedBoth 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 floral.
Cabernet Franc
curatedLoire 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.
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
curatedBoth 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 floral, and more aromatic.
Cabernet Franc
curatedLoire 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 less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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 less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Chilean Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
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 less spicy, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Gamay
curatedGamay 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.
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 less spicy.
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.
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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Spätburgunder (German 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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
English still 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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Red Burgundy
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 more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
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 spicier.
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 less spicy.
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 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.
Cabernet Franc
curatedLoire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.
Expect: Leafier and more graphite-edged, with slightly firmer tannin.
Gamay
curatedGamay 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.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 less spicy.
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 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.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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 spicier.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
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.