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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 jammy or sweet-tasting, too heavy and too plain or too simple.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 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.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
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 fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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 fuller and richer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
País
País scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Colorino
Colorino scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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 oaky, and sweeter.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 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.