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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, while moving away from too light or thin and too floral or soapy.

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.

Colorino

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.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Rondinella

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.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Dolcetto

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.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Muscat Bailey A

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.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Trousseau

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.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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.
About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.

Rondo

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.
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.

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 more tannic and structured.

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 sweeter.

Dolcetto

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 more tannic and structured.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 more tannic and structured.

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 sweeter.

Dolcetto

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 more tannic and structured.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

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.

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 more tannic and structured.

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 sweeter.

Dolcetto

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 more tannic and structured.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 more sparkling.

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 more sparkling.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Molinara

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barbera

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.

Castelão

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

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

Chianti

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.

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

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 di Soave

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Catarratto

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 more savoury.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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 more savoury.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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 more savoury.

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 more tannic and structured.

Dolcetto

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 more tannic and structured.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fresher

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Barbera

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.

Chianti

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.

Molinara

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

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

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Dolcetto

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 more tannic and structured.

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 more tannic and structured.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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.

Montepulciano

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.

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 stiller.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

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 stiller.

Franciacorta

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 more sparkling.

Similar but sweeter

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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.

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 more tannic and structured.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barbera

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.

Dolcetto

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 less oaky.

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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 less tannic and softer.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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 less tannic and softer.

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Chasselas

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

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

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 more tannic and structured.

Dolcetto

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 more tannic and structured.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 more sparkling.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti

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.

Areni

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

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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.

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 more sparkling.

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Barbera

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.

Chianti

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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.

Something more adventurous

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

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 more tannic and structured.

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 sweeter.

Dolcetto

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 more tannic and structured.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

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.

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 more tannic and structured.

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 sweeter.

Dolcetto

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 more tannic and structured.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

A step up

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

Barbera

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.

Chianti

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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.

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.

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.