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 heavy, too jammy or sweet-tasting and 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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
- 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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 lighter.
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 stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 lighter.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella 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 drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 stronger and warmer.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Crémant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more sparkling.
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 stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 lighter.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 more oaky.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 stronger and warmer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 lighter.
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 stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella 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 drier.
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.