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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 moving away from too savoury or funky, too soft or too easy 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
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.
País
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Muscat Bailey A
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more fruit-driven.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
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 less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less tannic and softer.
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 savoury, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
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.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Bolgheri
Bolgheri scores closest to Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 less tannic and softer, and fresher.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Both are made from pinot noir, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
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 less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
Both are made from pinot noir, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Oregon Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
California Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both are made from pinot noir.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
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 less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Both are made from pinot noir, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
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.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.