If you like this, try…

Wines like Dornfelder

A modern German crossing producing deeply coloured, soft, fruity reds. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Dornfelder

Refine

What do you like about Dornfelder?

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.

I like…

The rich dark fruit That it is not oaky

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too alcoholic or warming too light or thin too soft or too easy too plain or too simple too floral or soapy

Clear all

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".
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
How light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
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.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.

Looking for something keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too floral or soapy.

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.

Frühburgunder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Rondo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Corvinone

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Zweigelt

curated

The closest comparison: a modern crossing bred for reliable colour and juicy dark-cherry fruit in a cool climate.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Piedirosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Frühburgunder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Rondo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Frühburgunder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Rondo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

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.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Molinara

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Schiava

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Schiava

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.

Colombard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Corvinone

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and leaner and more cutting.

Bonarda

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Trincadeira

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Molinara

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Muscat Bailey A

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Fer Servadou

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Mondeuse Noire

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Refosco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Mondeuse Noire

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.

Molinara

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Refosco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Merlot

curated

A useful anchor for a soft, dark-fruited red with low tannin and easy appeal.

Expect: Dornfelder is lighter, fresher and often carries a faint sweetness.

Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

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 less floral, and stiller.

Lambrusco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and stiller.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Sekt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.

Fer Servadou

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Frühburgunder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Mondeuse Noire

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Bonarda

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

Pinot Grigio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Seyval Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Cortese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.

Négrette

Négrette scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.

Frappato

Frappato scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Cerasuolo di Vittoria scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Castelão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

Corvinone

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Castelão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Primitivo

Primitivo scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Dornfelder across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Merlot

curated

A useful anchor for a soft, dark-fruited red with low tannin and easy appeal.

Expect: Dornfelder is lighter, fresher and often carries a faint sweetness.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Frühburgunder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Rondo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

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.

Frühburgunder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Rondo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and drier.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.

Merlot

curated

A useful anchor for a soft, dark-fruited red with low tannin and easy appeal.

Expect: Dornfelder is lighter, fresher and often carries a faint sweetness.

How these are chosen

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.