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 keeping that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too green or grassy and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is too plain or too simple. Both are about oak influence, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- 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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
English still Pinot Noir
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
English still rosé
Both are made from rondo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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 aromatic.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.