Schiava [SKYAH-vah]
A red-wine grape thought to be native to Italy’s Alto Adige region, where it’s extensively grown. It’s also widely cultivated in neighboring Trentino. These regions are heavily populated with German-speaking citizens who call this grape Vernatsch. This variety produces light-colored, fruity wines that are low in acidity, tannins, and alcohol; they should be drunk young. There are several varieties of Schiava: Schiava Grossa (in German, Grossvernatsch), which is the most common; Schiava Grigia (or Grauvernatsch), which is more difficult to grow but produces better wines; and the low-yielding Schiava Gentile (also called Kleinvernatsch and Mittervernatsch). Another clone called Tschaggel (or Tschaggelevernatsch) produces good wines but isn’t widely planted because it’s an inconsistent ripener. The best Schiava-based wines come from the docs Lago di Caldaro (Kalterersee, in German) and Santa Maddalena (or St. Magdalener). This variety is also cultivated in Germany’s Württemberg region where it’s called Trollinger.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.