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.
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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 and too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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 less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
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 more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti
Chianti scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less tannic and softer.
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 more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
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 drier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.