If you like this, try…
Wines like Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
Cool Atlantic-influenced Pinot Noir from the valleys behind Hermanus — South Africa’s finest. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Hemel-en-Aarde 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
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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.
- 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.
Looking for something moving away from too earthy or musty.
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.
Prokupac
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Zweigelt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Castelão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Prokupac
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Zweigelt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Prokupac
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Zweigelt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
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.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
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.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Valais Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
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 sweeter.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stiller.
Méthode Cap Classique
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and spicier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Chilean Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Australian Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
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, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.
English still rosé
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Oregon Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Red Burgundy
Both are made from pinot noir, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
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 earthier, and more herbal and green.
Chilean Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Prokupac
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Zweigelt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
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.
Prokupac
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Zweigelt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
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.