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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 and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too light or thin.

You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too light or thin. 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.

Muscat Bailey A

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.

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.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

País

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Portugieser

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Tibouren

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Molinara

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Ciliegiolo

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

Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less light or thin.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Barbera

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

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

País

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Barbera

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

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

País

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

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

Portugieser

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

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Barbera

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.

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Molinara

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Barbera

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Catarratto

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 floral.

Trebbiano di Soave

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 floral.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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 floral.

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 floral.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Nerello Cappuccio

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

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

Piedirosso

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

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

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera

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

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.

Molinara

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

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 lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Montepulciano

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

English sparkling rosé

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.

Portugieser

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barbera

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.

Barbera d’Asti

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.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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 less floral.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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 less floral.

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Franken Silvaner

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Frappato

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Cru Beaujolais

Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

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.

Barbera

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

País

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

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

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter, and less floral.

Areni

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

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

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

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Nerello Cappuccio

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

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

Piedirosso

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

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.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Barbera

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

País

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

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

Portugieser

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

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

Tibouren

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

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

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.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

País

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

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

Portugieser

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

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

Tibouren

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

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

A step up

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

Barbera

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.

Chianti

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

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.