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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 and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too light or thin.

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.

Canaiolo

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.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.

Pinot Meunier

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.

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.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.

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.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.

Dornfelder

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.

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.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less light or thin.

Trousseau

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

Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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.

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.

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 sweeter, and less floral.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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.

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 sweeter, and less floral.

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.

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.

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 sweeter, and less floral.

Pinot Meunier

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

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

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.

Pinot Meunier

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 sweeter.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Castelão

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

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

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 oaky, and more tannic and structured.

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.

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.

Falanghina

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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 broader and softer.

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.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

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.

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.

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.

Graciano

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

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.

Négrette

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

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

Portugieser

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

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 oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Dolcetto

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky, and more herbal and green.

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

Chasselas

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

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

Pinot Grigio

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 tannic and softer.

Palomino Fino

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.

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 more oaky, 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.

Frappato

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Castelão

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 lighter, and less floral.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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 more sparkling, and sweeter.

Rondo

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

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

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 more oaky, and earthier.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Chianti

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

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

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.

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 sweeter, 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.

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 sweeter, 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 more oaky, and earthier.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

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.