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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 the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too plain or too simple and 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.

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

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less light or thin.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less light or thin.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less light or thin.

Red Burgundy

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less light or thin.

Egri Bikavér

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less light or thin.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less light or thin.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less light or thin.

Barbera

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
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.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Egri Bikavér

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

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

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.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Aglianico

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

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

Areni

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Baga

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

White Bordeaux

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

Chardonnay

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Aglianico

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Similar but softer

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

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Franciacorta

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Corvina

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Aglianico

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

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

Alentejo red

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

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 broader and softer, and sweeter.

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 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 less oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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.

Aglianico

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

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

Areni

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Sangiovese

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

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

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.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Mencía

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zweigelt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 fruitier, and fresher.

Something more adventurous

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

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)

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

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

A step up

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barbera

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.

Barolo

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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.

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.