If you like this, try…
Wines like Cabernet Franc
Parent of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in its own right a lighter, leafier, more floral red. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Cabernet Franc?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
Looking for something moving away from too floral or soapy and too earthy or musty.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Crémant
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more neutral and subtle.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.