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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.
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 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.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- 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.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- 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.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 less tannic and softer, 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.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer, 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.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Roditis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Cortese
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.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Nerello Cappuccio
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Piedirosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
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.
Barbera
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dolcetto
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
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 more tannic and structured.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 more tannic and structured.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Barbera d’Asti
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
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 less floral.
Cortese
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 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.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Dão
Dão scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 earthier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Tibouren
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.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Ciliegiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Nerello Cappuccio
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Piedirosso
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.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Gamay
curatedBoth 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 fruitier, and more floral.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
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.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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.