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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.
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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 keeping that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too soft or too easy and too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Cahors
Cahors scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
País
País scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Molinara
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Nerello Mascalese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Aglianico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dolcetto
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Languedoc red
Languedoc red scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Vintage Port
Vintage Port scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Carignan
Carignan scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Nerello Mascalese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Cahors
Cahors scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more 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.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Cahors
Cahors scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Carignan
Carignan scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Nerello Mascalese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Cahors
Cahors scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Fer Servadou
Fer Servadou scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Rondinella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Corvinone
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.