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.
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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 the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too green or grassy.
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.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Valpolicella
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.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
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 drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
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 riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Nero d’Avola
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.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Morgon
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.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Ciliegiolo
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.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chilean Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Blaufränkisch
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Barbera
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.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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 riper and less green, and more savoury.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Malbec
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.