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.
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.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- 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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and sweeter.
Chilean Chardonnay
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Malbec
curatedArgentina’s other red, sharing dark fruit and plush texture.
Expect: More structured and floral, and better known.
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
Lambrusco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and sweeter.
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.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Bonarda across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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 fruitier, and sweeter.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
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.