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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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Ciliegiolo
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.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Ciliegiolo
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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Portugieser
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 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
English still Pinot Noir
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and leaner and more cutting.
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.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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 lighter.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Cornalin
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 more floral, and riper and less green.
Molinara
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and riper and less green.
Refosco
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 softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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 more sparkling, and riper and less green.
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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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.
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 lighter, and riper and less green.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
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.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
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.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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 more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Rondo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.