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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.

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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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How light it is That it is not too strong How smooth and soft it is That it is not oaky

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too light or thin too alcoholic or warming too soft or too easy too plain or too simple too floral or soapy

Clear all

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 smooth and easy it is to drink, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too tart or sour-fruited and too plain or too simple.

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.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Nero d’Avola

Both come from the same country.

Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Rioja Crianza

Rioja Crianza scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Merlot

Merlot scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
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.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Nero d’Avola

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Nero d’Avola

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

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.

English still Pinot Noir

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 less oaky, and fresher.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

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 less oaky, and fresher.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

White Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Chenin Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Nero d’Avola

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Rioja Crianza

Rioja Crianza scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Merlot

Merlot scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Barbera

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Barbera d’Asti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Merlot

Merlot scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Agiorgitiko

Agiorgitiko scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Alentejo red

Alentejo red scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

Nemea Agiorgitiko scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Tawny Port

Tawny Port scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Koshu

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Nero d’Avola

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Mourvèdre

Mourvèdre scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Primitivo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Zweigelt

Zweigelt scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Rioja Crianza

Rioja Crianza scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Merlot

Merlot scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.

Nero d’Avola

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

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.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.

Nero d’Avola

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Rioja Crianza

Rioja Crianza scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Merlot

Merlot scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

How these are chosen

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.