If you like this, try…
Wines like Loire Cabernet Franc
Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny: medium-light, high-acid reds with raspberry fruit and a graphite, leafy edge. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Loire 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
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- 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 tart or sour-fruited, too green or grassy and too sharp or acidic.
- You said you like the herbal, green edge and that it is too green or grassy. Both are about herbal / green character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Cabernet Sauvignon
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 tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.
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 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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, and more herbal and green.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
País
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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 lighter, and more herbal and green.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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 stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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, and more herbal and green.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fruitier, and less floral.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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 riper and less green, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and less oaky.
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 fruitier, and less oaky.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 lighter, and more herbal and green.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Pinot Blanc
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 lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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 fruitier, and less floral.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 less floral, and spicier.
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 fruitier, 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 broader and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Cahors
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 tannic and structured.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
California Rhône blend
California Rhône blend scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 broader and softer, and fruitier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Cabernet 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 lighter, and more herbal and green.
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 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 spicier, and less floral.
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 lighter, and more herbal and 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 broader and softer, and fruitier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.
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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 spicier, and less floral.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.