What is Schiava?

Quick answer

Schiava is a red grape variety associated chiefly with Alto Adige, also known as South Tyrol, in northern Italy. It is commonly called Vernatsch there, and may also be associated with the German name Trollinger.

Schiava usually produces bright, fresh red wines that are light to medium-bodied, with gentle tannin and lively acidity. You may notice floral aromas, particularly violet, alongside fresh red berries, sour cherry or almond-like notes. These are typical tendencies rather than guarantees: vineyard site, ripeness, blending and winemaking can all change the result.

For an Australian wine drinker, the main point is that Schiava is a grape name, not a general style of wine. A bottle may identify the grape as Schiava or Vernatsch, but it may instead use a traditional regional name.

What does Schiava taste like?

Schiava wines are often pale to bright ruby-red rather than deeply coloured. They are generally easy-drinking and fresh, with relatively low or moderate tannin. That makes them a useful choice when you want a red wine with less grip and weight than many Cabernet Sauvignon or Nebbiolo-based wines.

Commonly reported aromas and flavours include:

• violet and other floral notes;
• fresh red berries;
• sour cherry;
• almond-like characters; and
• occasional mild savoury or spicy notes.

Some examples can be fuller or more structured, particularly when the wine comes from a warmer site, is riper, includes another variety or has been made with more extraction or ageing.

Where is Schiava grown?

Schiava’s strongest association is with Alto Adige/South Tyrol, especially around Bolzano, Lake Caldaro and Merano. It is also found in neighbouring Trentino, but Alto Adige is the key reference point for understanding the grape.

The name on the bottle may not always make the grape obvious. Traditional regional designations such as Santa Maddalena, Lago di Caldaro and Merano can describe wines associated with Schiava. Some may be made entirely from Schiava, while others may include a permitted proportion of another grape, such as Lagrein.

That means a regional name and a grape name are related, but they are not automatically interchangeable. Check the back label or technical information if you want to know the exact blend.

What should Australian drinkers look for?

No reliable evidence in the available research confirms Australian plantings, production volumes or broad retail availability of Schiava. An Australian reader is therefore most likely to encounter the grape through an imported Italian wine or a specialist wine selection, rather than through a clearly established Australian category.

If you see Schiava or Vernatsch on a label, it is pointing you towards the grape or its regional wine tradition. If you see Santa Maddalena, Lago di Caldaro or Merano, you are looking at a geographical or traditional designation that needs to be interpreted separately.

Schiava is also often served slightly cool, at roughly 12–14°C. Its freshness and gentle tannin can work well with lighter savoury foods, sausages, Italian dishes and cheese.

Frequently asked questions

Is Schiava a red or white grape?

Schiava is a red grape variety and is generally used to make red wine.

Is Schiava the same as Vernatsch?

Vernatsch is the principal South Tyrolean or German-language name associated with Schiava. The wider naming group includes related forms, so the names should not be treated as a perfect one-to-one rule in every wine context.

Is Schiava the same as Trollinger?

Trollinger is a German name associated with Schiava, but naming can become more complicated across regions and related forms. It is safest to treat them as closely associated names rather than assume every use is identical.

Is Schiava always a light red wine?

No. Light, fresh and gently tannic is the usual direction, but site, ripeness, blending and winemaking can produce wines with more body and structure.