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 fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too sharp or acidic and too tart or sour-fruited.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about perceived freshness, 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.
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 fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
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 fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
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 fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
Carignan
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 riper and less green.
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.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Carignan
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 riper and less green.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
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 less floral, and spicier.
Carignan
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 riper and less green.
Madiran
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 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 floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 fruitier, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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.
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 floral.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Carignan
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 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 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 less floral, and fruitier.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah 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 broader and softer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
Egri Bikavér
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 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.
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.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 less floral, and spicier.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Carignan
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 riper and less green.
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.
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.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.
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.
Carignan
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 riper and less green.
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.
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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
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 less floral, and spicier.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.