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 keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too austere.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and spicier.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Touriga Nacional
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 more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
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 more savoury.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti 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 less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more sparkling.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Gamay
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.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
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 more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more aromatic.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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 more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Gamay
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.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella 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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more tannic and structured.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Argentine Malbec
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.