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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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too earthy or musty and too tart or sour-fruited.
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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 fresher, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
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 less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
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 Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
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 fresher.
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 less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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 earthier.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
California Rhône blend
California Rhône blend scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
McLaren Vale Shiraz scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Australian 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 spicier, and fresher.
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 more oaky, and fresher.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Oregon 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 fresher, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
Both are made from pinot noir, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and spicier.
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 fruitier, and lighter.
Australian 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 fruitier, 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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
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.