If you like this, try…
Wines like Rondinella
A reliable Valpolicella blending variety contributing colour and resistance to rot during drying. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Rondinella?
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.
- 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.
Looking for something moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting 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.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting 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.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
País
País scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Colorino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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 Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Aglianico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Corvinone
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Bonarda
Bonarda scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Trincadeira
Trincadeira scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
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.