Schiava is a wine made from a range of lesser-known grape varietals from Italy’s far north, in the Trentino and Alto-Adige regions. It has some unique characteristics that make it distinct from most other red wines, including its sweet and aromatic nose, light body and low alcohol levels.
It’s also brightly acidic and low in tannins, making it fun, easy drinking and just delicious overall. Despite the hints of sweetness in its aromas and flavours, Schiava is usually made in a dry style. It’s hard to find something that doesn’t pair with Schiava, but it is particularly good with white meats, fish, tofu and Thai/southeast Asian food in general.
Meat That Pairs Well With Schiava
Schiava pairs very well with meats that have a hint of sweetness. Think of meats on the lighter end of the scale, such as ham and chicken. Due to its low tannins, Schiava can be paired with fish too – it’s light enough to avoid overwhelming meatier fish such as halibut and cod.
Slightly heavier versions of Schiava can also be paired with gamey meats, such as pheasant and venison. These meats usually aren’t overly fatty, and are full of a savory richness that will contrast beautifully with Schiava’s perceptibly sweet profile.
You’ll find that Schiava has a very aromatic nose and is packed with red fruit flavours, with hints of Amaretto-like almonds. This makes it a beautiful pairing for a variety of Thai and southeast Asian dishes. Due to its low alcohol, Schiava can stand up to a surprising amount of spice.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Schiava
Schiava will work well with pretty much any cheese, but if you’re putting a platter together, put special emphasis on hard Italian cheeses with some pokiness.
Schiava has more than enough punchy flavours and crispness to stand up to the sharpness of Pecorino, Grana Padano, Parmesan or dried Ricotta.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Schiava
It is difficult to find appetizers that don’t work with Schiava, but for authenticity, we recommend Italian antipasti. Think of cured meats, olives and cheesy bites. Schiava also has enough acid and red fruit flavour to match tart tomato-topped bruschetta or a Caprese salad.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Schiava
Following its affinity for Thai and southeast Asian cuisine, Schiava is a very pleasant pairing for tofu dishes. Tofu has a very mild, slightly sweet flavour, so you can even marinade it in some ginger or soy sauce before pairing it with a Schiava.
It will also be great with any veggie pasta dishes, including gnocchi. As with the bruschetta, Schiava is usually tart enough to match the tomato-based sauces that you’ll find on pizza and pasta.
Another beautiful Italian food pairing for this wine is Tirolese Canederli, a warming soup with bread dumplings made in the same regions where Schiava is grown.
Herbs That Pair Well With Schiava
When you’re choosing your dish, look out for aromatic spices and herbs to match the wine’s bouquet, like lavender, jasmine, mint or basil. Schiava is also great with those slow-warming spices that you commonly find in Asian cuisines, such as ginger and lemongrass.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Schiava
With its low tannins and high acidity, Schiava is extremely food friendly. It’s difficult to go wrong with matching it. However, if you go for extremely dense and fatty meat, like beef, you may risk overpowering the wine, as it is almost always made in a light-bodied style.
Best Foods To Eat With Schiava
Schiava is a brilliant wine to have on the table, as it can be shared by pretty much anybody, even if you’re eating different dishes. These are the best foods to eat with this lesser-known north Italian wine:
- Ham
- Chicken
- Tofu
- Vegetarian pasta
- Thai food
