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 jammy or sweet-tasting, too plain or too simple, too austere and too soft or too easy.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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
Pinot Noir scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 less oaky.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Colorino
Colorino scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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 less tannic and softer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 less tannic and softer.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah 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.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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 drier, and less tannic and softer.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Shiraz
Shiraz 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.