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 alcoholic or warming, too light or thin and 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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- 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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Cinsault
Cinsault scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
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 lighter, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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 lighter, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
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 drier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Madiran
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.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
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.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
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.