If You Like Pinot Noir...
Listen, we get it—it’s hard to find new wines you like. There’s a price associated with trying new things, and after a long day, you just want some insurance that you’re going to like what you put in your glass. Let us help you. With “If You Like…” we’re serving up suggestions based on things you already know.
Today, it’s all about red wine.
If you like Pinot Noir, you’ll probably like Schiava.
What is Schiava? Schiava is a red grape from Italy, primarily planted through Alto Adige, a northern wine region in the foothills of the Italian Alps. (It’s also planted in Germany, where it’s called Trollinger.) It’s a lighter-style red, usually lower in alcohol and tannin, and finishes dry. It smells like teen romance: a packet of gushers and a bed covered in rose petals, Rainier cherries eaten out of the bag and riding your bike along a gravel road. The palate is ultra-refreshing—lifted and expressive.
Glamor shots of Alto Adige taken by Karen on her honeymoon.
How is it like Pinot Noir? Schiava and Pinot Noir smell and taste very similar. The fruit is bright and juicy: red cherries, roadside bramble berries, summer strawberries. The acid is bright and the tannins are low on both.
How is it different? Schiava is lighter-bodied than many new-world Pinot Noirs. And while Pinot Noir can boast mushroomy, forest-floor qualities, Schiava’s savory side is more smokey and spiced.
Where should I buy it? This likely isn’t grocery store wine. (Unless your grocery store is fucking cool.) Head to a specialty wine shop and ask them to help you pick out a great bottle. Don’t feel nervous, it’s literally what they are there for! Or, head over to your favorite Italian restaurant of choice and see if they have any on the menu.
How much should it cost? Under $20
What bottle should I buy? Alto Adige is an amazing region making amazing wine. Karen went there on her honeymoon; Dylan is planning a trip in 2020. If there is one winery you should know from the region, it’s Abbazia di Novacella. Abbazia has been around since 1142, an Abbey founded by the Augustinian Order of Canons Regular, monks that support themselves through farming and winemaking. Their granitic schist soils, formed by ancient glaciers, are steeply planted with vineyards ranging from 850-2950 feet of elevation.
What should I pair with Schiava? Chicken and tomato stew. French onion soup. Cauliflower steaks. Steak and chimichurri.
