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, too alcoholic or warming, too perfumed and too light or thin.
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.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tannat
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 more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 stronger and warmer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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.
Tibouren
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
País
País scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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 lighter, and less floral.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 stronger and warmer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 stronger and warmer.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 stronger and warmer.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Tannat
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 more tannic and structured.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Tannat
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 more tannic and structured.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 stronger and warmer.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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.