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 the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
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 the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Languedoc red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Languedoc red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
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 in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
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.
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.
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.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Barbera
Barbera scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
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 in alcohol, and less floral.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fuller and richer.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Ruby Port
Ruby Port scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Vin Doux Naturel
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Languedoc red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
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 lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
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.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
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.
Languedoc red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
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.
Languedoc red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.