If you like this, try…
Wines like Bonarda
Argentina’s second most planted red, producing soft, juicy, dark-fruited wines. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Bonarda?
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 rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too austere, too tart or sour-fruited and too heavy.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- A little less heavy.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- A little less heavy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- Substantially less heavy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- Substantially less heavy.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- Substantially less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Saperavi
Saperavi scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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 Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.