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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 it is not too alcoholic and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too floral or soapy.

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.

Grolleau

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

Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Poulsard

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

País

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Portugieser

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Tibouren

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Molinara

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

English still Pinot Noir

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

Keeps that it is not too alcoholic.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.

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

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Poulsard

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

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

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Portugieser

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Poulsard

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

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

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Portugieser

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

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

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Hunter Valley Semillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Molinara

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

Portugieser

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

Tibouren

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

Molinara

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

Similar but less tannic

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

Hondarrabi Zuri

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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 fuller and richer.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

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 fuller and richer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Fer Servadou

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Colorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Mondeuse Noire

Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 fuller and richer.

Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 less floral, and fuller and richer.

Dolcetto

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

English Blanc de Blancs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Portugieser

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Egri Bikavér

Egri Bikavér scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and more floral.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

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 fuller and richer.

Jacquère

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

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

Pinot Grigio

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 stronger and warmer.

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 fruitier.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Poulsard

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

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Tibouren

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fruitier

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

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Fer Servadou

Fer Servadou scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

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.

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.

Something more adventurous

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

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Poulsard

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

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

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Portugieser

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

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.

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Poulsard

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

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

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Portugieser

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

A step up

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

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.

Barbera

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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.