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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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, 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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Molinara

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Colorino

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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Rondinella

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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 sweeter.

Molinara

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 stronger and warmer.

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 stronger and warmer.

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 sweeter.

Molinara

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 stronger and warmer.

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 stronger and warmer.

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

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.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Molinara

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 stronger and warmer.

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 less floral.

Grolleau

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

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

Molinara

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Colorino

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 stronger and warmer.

Grolleau

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

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

Molinara

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 stronger and warmer.

Rondinella

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 stronger and warmer.

Similar but less tannic

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

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 sweeter.

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 sweeter.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.

Colombard

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Colorino

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 stronger and warmer.

Fer Servadou

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondinella

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 stronger and warmer.

Similar but fresher

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

Molinara

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 stronger and warmer.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 stronger and warmer.

Canaiolo

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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.

Lambrusco

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.

Txakoli

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

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

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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.

Rondinella

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 stronger and warmer.

Portugieser

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Dolcetto

Both come from the same country.

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

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 sweeter.

Koshu

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

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

Jacquère

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

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

Melon de Bourgogne

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.

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 stronger and warmer.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Both come from the same country.

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Graciano

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

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

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 sweeter.

Molinara

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.

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 stronger and warmer.

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 stronger and warmer.

Tibouren

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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.

Fer Servadou

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more oaky, and more floral.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.

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 sweeter.

Molinara

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 stronger and warmer.

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 stronger and warmer.

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 sweeter.

Molinara

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 stronger and warmer.

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 stronger and warmer.

A step up

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

Southern Rhône blend scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.

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.