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 moving away from too sharp or acidic, too tart or sour-fruited, too floral or soapy and too green or grassy.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
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.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
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.
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 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 broader and softer, and fruitier.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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
Both come from the same country.
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.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
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 less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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.
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.
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.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
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.
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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Lambrusco
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 less floral.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 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.
Pinot Noir
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 lighter.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 less floral, and spicier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
Mourvèdre
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 broader and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and broader and softer.
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.
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.
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.
Egri Bikavér
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 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
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.
Carignan
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.
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.
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.
Carignan
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.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
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.