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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 that it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like that it is not too alcoholic and that it is too alcoholic or warming. Both are about alcohol, 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.

Barbera

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Valpolicella

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Poulsard

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

País

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

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.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Tibouren

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Barbera

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Valpolicella

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Barbera

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Valpolicella

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Poulsard

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella

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

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

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Barbera

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Barbera d’Asti

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Valpolicella

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

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

Molinara

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

Molinara

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Grillo

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.

Pecorino

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.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 less floral.

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 less floral.

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 less floral.

Corvinone

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.

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Valpolicella

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Molinara

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Montepulciano

Both come from the same country.

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter in alcohol.

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvinone

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.

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 less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Barbera d’Asti

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Corvina

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.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Malbec

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinot Grigio

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 lighter in alcohol.

Gavi

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 lighter in alcohol.

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Frappato

Both come from the same country.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Both come from the same country.

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

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.

Australian Grenache

Australian Grenache scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Valpolicella

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Poulsard

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

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

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less floral.

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 less floral.

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 less floral.

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Beaujolais

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Valpolicella

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

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.