If you like this, try…
Wines like Rondo
A disease-resistant red hybrid grown in northern Europe, including Wales and England. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Rondo?
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".
- 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 herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
Looking for something moving away from too green or grassy 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.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially 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.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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 riper and less green, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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 riper and less green, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Crémant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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 riper and less green, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.