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 keeping how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too green or grassy.
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.
Pinot Noir
curatedSimilar weight, high acidity and perfumed red fruit — both are reds that suit a light chill.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Mencía
curatedMencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality closely enough that the two were long assumed to be related.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pinot Noir
curatedSimilar weight, high acidity and perfumed red fruit — both are reds that suit a light chill.
Expect: Rounder and earthier, without Cabernet Franc’s leafy, graphite edge.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Mencía
curatedMencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality closely enough that the two were long assumed to be related.
Expect: Slightly riper fruit and a more Mediterranean herbal character.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
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 spicier, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
curatedSimilar weight, high acidity and perfumed red fruit — both are reds that suit a light chill.
Expect: Rounder and earthier, without Cabernet Franc’s leafy, graphite edge.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Poulsard
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
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 more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Meunier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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 spicier, and less floral.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Red Burgundy
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Etna Rosso
Etna Rosso scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stronger and warmer.
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 riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Pinot Meunier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Cinsault
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
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 oaky, and spicier.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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 more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
curatedSimilar weight, high acidity and perfumed red fruit — both are reds that suit a light chill.
Expect: Rounder and earthier, without Cabernet Franc’s leafy, graphite edge.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Mencía
curatedMencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality closely enough that the two were long assumed to be related.
Expect: Slightly riper fruit and a more Mediterranean herbal character.
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.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
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 more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 spicier, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
curatedSimilar weight, high acidity and perfumed red fruit — both are reds that suit a light chill.
Expect: Rounder and earthier, without Cabernet Franc’s leafy, graphite edge.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mencía
curatedMencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality closely enough that the two were long assumed to be related.
Expect: Slightly riper fruit and a more Mediterranean herbal character.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Mencía
curatedMencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality closely enough that the two were long assumed to be related.
Expect: Slightly riper fruit and a more Mediterranean herbal character.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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.