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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 how smooth and easy it is to drink, that the fruit is not covered in oak 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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Molinara

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Cinsault

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

Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.

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 oaky, and more floral.

Grolleau

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

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 more oaky, and fresher.

Molinara

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 fresher.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Nerello Cappuccio

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Piedirosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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 more oaky.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.

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 more tannic and structured.

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both come from the same country.

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

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.

Lambrusco

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 more oaky.

English Blanc de Blancs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.

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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 fuller and richer.

Valpolicella

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

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

Areni

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

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

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

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.

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 Toscano

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.

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Négrette

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

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

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.

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.

País

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 earthier.

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 oaky, and more floral.

Similar but fruitier

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

Ciliegiolo

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.

Nerello Cappuccio

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.

Cinsault

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

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

Piedirosso

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.

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 fruitier.

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Barbera

Both come from the same country.

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

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.

Chianti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Barbera

Both come from the same country.

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.