Comparison
Cabernet Franc vs Tannat
How Cabernet Franc and Tannat differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
Cabernet Franc and Tannat come from the same country but sit in different territory. The main differences: Cabernet Franc has more herbal / green character; Tannat has more tannin; Tannat has more body.
Choose
Tannat
Choose Tannat if you want something more tannic and structured, fuller and richer, 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.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Tannat is more tannic and structured: high against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Tannat is fuller and richer: high against medium.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Cabernet Franc is more floral: medium against low.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
Tannat is stronger and warmer: medium-plus against medium.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Tannat is fruitier: 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.
- Acidity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Spice: Similar — both low.
- Earthy character: Similar — both medium.
- Carbonation: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Cabernet Franc | Tannat |
|---|---|---|
| Herbal / green character | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Body | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Floral character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| 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) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Serve at | 14–16°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | raspberry, red plum, graphite, bell pepper, violet | blackberry, plum, smoke, licorice, dark chocolate |
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
Tannat
One of the most tannic wine grapes in commercial use, native to south-west France and the national variety of Uruguay.
Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Cabernet Franc
Parent and offspring, sharing half a name — how different are they really?
Comparison
Tannat vs Malbec
The two South American reds most likely to be on the same shelf, and readers want to know which is the softer bet.