If you like this, try…
Wines like Schiava
A very pale, light Alpine red from Alto Adige, with a distinctive strawberry-and-almond character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Schiava?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
- 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 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 floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
Looking for something keeping how light and easy it feels and that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too tart or sour-fruited.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about body, 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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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.
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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, chillable reds.
Expect: More structure and darker fruit.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more sparkling.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Frappato
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Dão
Dão scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and fresher.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, chillable reds.
Expect: More structure and darker fruit.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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.