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.

← Back to Schiava

Refine

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, while moving away from too light or thin, too tart or sour-fruited and too plain or too simple.

You said you like that it is not too alcoholic and that it is too light or thin. Both are about alcohol, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

País

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Dolcetto

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 light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of that it is not too alcoholic.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
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.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

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.

País

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dolcetto

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.

Canaiolo

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Sémillon

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

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

Macabeo

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

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

Roero Arneis

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

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

Pinot Gris

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Dolcetto

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

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mourvèdre

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fresher

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Barbera

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

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 fruitier, and less oaky.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Canaiolo

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

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

Merlot

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

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

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 less oaky, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Franciacorta

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Rondinella

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Sémillon

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

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

Koshu

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

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

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

Pinot Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fuller and richer, and fresher.

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

País

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Mourvèdre

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

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

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

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 fruitier, and less oaky.

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Zweigelt

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less 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.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Crianza

Rioja Crianza scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.