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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.
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.
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 alcoholic or warming, too earthy or musty and too perfumed.
- You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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.
Blaufränkisch
curatedA similarly high-acid, medium-bodied, savoury red from central Europe.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Montefalco Sagrantino
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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Sagrantino
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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less perfumed.
California 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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Australian 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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Hemel-en-Aarde 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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less perfumed.
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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less perfumed.
New Zealand 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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Blaufränkisch
curatedA similarly high-acid, medium-bodied, savoury red from central Europe.
Expect: More peppery and darker-fruited, with firmer tannin.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
California 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
curatedA similarly high-acid, medium-bodied, savoury red from central Europe.
Expect: More peppery and darker-fruited, with firmer tannin.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
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 lighter.
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 lighter.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Beaujolais
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 lighter.
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.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
California 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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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 herbal and green.
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 sweeter.
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
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Blaufränkisch
curatedA similarly high-acid, medium-bodied, savoury red from central Europe.
Expect: More peppery and darker-fruited, with firmer tannin.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Tannat
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 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.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 herbal and green.
Southern Rhône blend
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.
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 more herbal and green.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
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 sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Vin Doux Naturel
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 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.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
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 more oaky.
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 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 fuller and richer.
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
California 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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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 less floral.
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 less spicy.
Négrette
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 lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 less floral.
California 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.
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
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 earthier, and lighter in alcohol.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California 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.
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 less spicy.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
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.
California 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.
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 less floral.
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 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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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 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 lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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 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 lighter.
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 lighter.
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.
California 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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
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 herbal and green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Blaufränkisch
curatedA similarly high-acid, medium-bodied, savoury red from central Europe.
Expect: More peppery and darker-fruited, with firmer tannin.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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 less floral.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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 less floral.
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 less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Brunello di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
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.