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.
Refine
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.
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.
Gamay
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.
Morgon
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.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Syrah
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
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.
Gamay
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 more fruit-driven.
Morgon
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 less floral.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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
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 more fruit-driven.
Morgon
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 less floral.
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Grolleau
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.
Tibouren
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Grolleau
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.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Morgon
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 less floral.
Syrah
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.
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.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Gamay
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 more fruit-driven.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Syrah
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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 more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Syrah
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
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 spicier.
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 more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stiller.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 more neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pinot Meunier
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.
Cinsault
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.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
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.
Syrah
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.
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.
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 tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
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.
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.
Egri Bikavér
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 floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Uco Valley Malbec
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 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
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 less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Syrah
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Gamay
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 less tannic and softer.
Morgon
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 less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
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.
Uco Valley Malbec
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.
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 fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
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.
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 more oaky.
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.
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.
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
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 more fruit-driven.
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
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Morgon
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 less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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
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 less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Syrah
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
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.