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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 the fruit is not covered in oak, that it is not too alcoholic and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too light or thin.

You said you like the bright red-fruited character 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 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.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Trousseau

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

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

Rondo

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Canaiolo

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

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

Colorino

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

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

Rondinella

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of that it is not too alcoholic, though less of it.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
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.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Rondo

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Rondo

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

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.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Rondo

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

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

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 fresher, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky, and more herbal and green.

Canaiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Castelão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

Ciliegiolo

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

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

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Fer Servadou

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

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 fresher, and fruitier.

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 fresher.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.

Portugieser

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Négrette

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Dolcetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.

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 fruitier, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

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 fruitier, and fresher.

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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and fresher.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Barbaresco

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

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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.

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.

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.

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 more oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Pinot Blanc

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

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.

Frappato

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Négrette

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

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 fruitier.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

Ciliegiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

Colorino

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

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.

Dão

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

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

Areni

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Rondo

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Pinot Meunier

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

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.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Rondo

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

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.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Rondo

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

A step up

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Pinot Noir

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.