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 tart or sour-fruited 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.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- 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.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Colorino
Colorino scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Canaiolo
Canaiolo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Aglianico
Aglianico scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
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 Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.