Comparison
Cabernet Franc vs Syrah
How Cabernet Franc and Syrah differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
Cabernet Franc and Syrah come from the same country but sit in different territory. The main differences: Cabernet Franc has more herbal / green character; Syrah has more spice; Cabernet Franc has more acidity.
Choose
Cabernet Franc
Choose Cabernet Franc if you want something more herbal and green, fresher and more acidic.
Choose
Syrah
Choose Syrah if you want something spicier, more tannic and structured, stronger and warmer.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Cabernet Franc is more herbal and green: medium-plus against low.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Syrah is spicier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Cabernet Franc is fresher and more acidic: medium-plus against medium.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Syrah is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
Syrah is stronger and warmer: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Syrah is fuller and richer: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Earthy character: Similar — both medium.
- Carbonation: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Cabernet Franc | Syrah |
|---|---|---|
| Herbal / green character | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to high (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Floral character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Earthy character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 14–16°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | raspberry, red plum, graphite, bell pepper, violet | blackberry, black pepper, olive, cured meat, violet |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Cabernet Franc
Parent of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in its own right a lighter, leafier, more floral red.
Grape
Syrah
A peppery, dark-fruited variety that produces two recognisably different wines depending on climate — and two different names to match.
Comparison
Syrah vs Shiraz
Are they the same grape, and if so why do the wines taste so different?
Comparison
Grenache vs Syrah
The two halves of a Rhône blend, and what each one contributes: which brings the weight, which brings the pepper, and what each tastes like on its own.
Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Syrah
Two structured reds for a steak — which suits which cut?