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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 and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too alcoholic or warming and too peppery.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit 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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
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.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- 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.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
- 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.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
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 some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
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 noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less peppery.
Toro
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 noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
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.
Nerello Mascalese
curatedEtna’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.
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
País
País scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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 less spicy.
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Vin Doux Naturel
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.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Castelão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Négrette
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 more fruit-driven.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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 more neutral and subtle.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Nerello Mascalese
curatedEtna’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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
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
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter in alcohol.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Toro
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
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.