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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 light and easy it feels, while moving away from too light or thin.

You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like how light and easy it feels 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.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Canaiolo

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Pinot Meunier

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Colorino

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Rondinella

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Dornfelder

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Muscat Bailey A

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less light or thin.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Meunier

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Meunier

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Colorino

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Pinot Meunier

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Ciliegiolo

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.

Similar but less tannic

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

Arneis

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

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

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.

Soave

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

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

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.

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 more tannic and structured, and less floral.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.

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 more tannic and structured, and spicier.

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Barbera

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 more oaky.

Similar but softer

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

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Dolcetto

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

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

Négrette

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

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

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, 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 stiller, and sweeter.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

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

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 sweeter, and more sparkling.

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.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, 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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Barbera

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.

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 herbal and green, and earthier.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

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 tannic and softer, and more oaky.

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Chasselas

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Négrette

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more neutral and subtle.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Frappato

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

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

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 more tannic and structured, and less floral.

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.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Trousseau

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more tannic and structured.

Etna Rosso

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 more tannic and structured.

Similar but fruitier

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Pinot Meunier

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Meunier

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Colorino

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

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

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.

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Meunier

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Colorino

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

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

A step up

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

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.