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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.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too tart or sour-fruited.
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.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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.
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.
Portugieser
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.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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 less floral.
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 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 less floral.
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 less floral.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
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 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 more floral.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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 fruitier, and more oaky.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 less floral.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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 more floral.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, chillable reds.
Expect: More structure and darker fruit.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Dão
Dão scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
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.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Corvinone
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Ciliegiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Nerello Cappuccio
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Piedirosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Southern Rhône blend
Southern Rhône blend scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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.
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Southern Rhône blend
Southern Rhône blend scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
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.