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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 and how smooth and easy it is to drink, while moving away from too plain or too simple and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too alcoholic or warming. 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.

Barbera

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Valpolicella

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Barbera

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Barbera

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barbera

Both come from the same country.

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

Valpolicella

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 oaky.

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Egri Bikavér

Egri Bikavér scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Valpolicella

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 fuller and richer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

Oregon Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

Merlot scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Agiorgitiko

Agiorgitiko scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Alentejo red

Alentejo red scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

English Blanc de Blancs

English Blanc de Blancs scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Corvina

Both come from the same country.

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

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Gavi

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

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

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 less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Both come from the same country.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Barbera

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Frappato

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

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

Cinsault

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Barbera

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

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

curated

Both are pale, light, chillable reds.

Expect: More structure and darker fruit.

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Valpolicella

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

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Valpolicella

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

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Barbera

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Red Burgundy

Red Burgundy scores closest to Schiava across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.