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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 the savoury, non-fruity character, how much it smells of, before you even taste it and the earthy, savoury-mineral character, while moving away from too peppery and too floral or soapy.
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.
Nerello Mascalese
curatedEtna’s Nerello Mascalese shares Pinot’s pale colour, high acidity, fine tannin and transparency to site.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Cabernet Franc
curatedLoire Cabernet Franc shares the medium-light body, high acidity and perfumed red fruit.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- 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 peppery.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- 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 peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- 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 peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- 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 peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- 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 peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Oregon Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 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.
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.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 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.
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 spicy.
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, 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.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon 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.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Mourvèdre
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 spicier.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Negroamaro
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.
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’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Tibouren
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more neutral and subtle.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra 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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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.
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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 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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Mourvèdre
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 spicier.
Jumilla Monastrell
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cava
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.
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 less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra 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.
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.
País
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.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
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.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
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 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Chianti Classico Riserva
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.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.
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.
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.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Chianti Classico Riserva
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 savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, 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.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 spicy.
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.
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 more savoury.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.