If you like this, try…
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 it is not too alcoholic, while moving away from too floral or soapy 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.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more floral.
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 stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Lagrein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Chianti Classico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
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 less oaky, and less floral.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Franciacorta
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
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 floral, and stronger and warmer.
Gamay
curatedBoth 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 less oaky, and more floral.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
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 stronger and warmer.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and stronger and warmer.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and stronger and warmer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Chianti Classico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and stronger and warmer.
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 less oaky, and less floral.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
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 stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, chillable reds.
Expect: More structure and darker fruit.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Chianti Classico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 stronger and warmer, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 stronger and warmer, and less floral.
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 stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Chianti Classico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.
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.