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 heavy, too jammy or sweet-tasting, too austere and too tart or sour-fruited.
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.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More heavy, not less.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- A little less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More heavy, not less.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
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.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
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.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Colorino
Colorino scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Canaiolo
Canaiolo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa 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.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Saperavi
Saperavi scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Aglianico
Aglianico scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco 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 drier.
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 stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
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 lighter.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, and fresher.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 drier.
Primitivo
Primitivo 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 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.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
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 fruitier, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.