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 keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too plain or too simple 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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- 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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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 drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Primitivo
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.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera
Barbera scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Touriga Franca
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 more savoury, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.
Syrah
Syrah scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 less oaky, and drier.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Super Tuscan
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 more savoury.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.