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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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too soft or too easy and too alcoholic or warming.

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.

Refosco

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 soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Nero di Troia

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 soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Tinto Cão

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Bobal

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Cornalin

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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 soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Colorino

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Corvinone

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
A little less soft or too easy.
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.

Refosco

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.

Nero di Troia

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Refosco

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.

Nero di Troia

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Refosco

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Nero di Troia

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.

Bobal

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 oaky.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Refosco

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.

Bobal

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Refosco

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Nero di Troia

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.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Refosco

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.

Nero di Troia

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.

Bobal

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Bobal

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Cornalin

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

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

Nero di Troia

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.

Similar but fresher

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 oaky.

Refosco

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.

Chianti

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 oaky.

Similar but softer

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

Dolcetto

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 oaky.

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both come from the same country.

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Refosco

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 stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Corvinone

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 tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 tannic and softer.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valais Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Negroamaro

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Refosco

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.

Nero di Troia

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Dão

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

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

Barbaresco

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.

Refosco

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.

Nero di Troia

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.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

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 oaky.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Corvinone

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 tannic and softer.

Ciliegiolo

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 tannic and softer.

Nerello Cappuccio

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 tannic and softer.

Fer Servadou

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico

Both come from the same country.

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

Sangiovese

Both come from the same country.

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

Red Bordeaux

Red Bordeaux scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Refosco

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.

Nero di Troia

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Refosco

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.

Nero di Troia

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Bobal

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

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

A step up

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

Chianti

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 oaky.

Chianti Classico

Both come from the same country.

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

Sangiovese

Both come from the same country.

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

Red Bordeaux

Red Bordeaux scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.