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 bright red-fruited character and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too green or grassy and too floral or soapy.
- 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 bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
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.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Bierzo Mencía
curatedBierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.
Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.
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.
Valpolicella
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Beaujolais
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.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
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 less floral.
Valpolicella
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 less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
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.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Mondeuse Noire
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 less floral.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more herbal and green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 broader and softer, and more herbal and green.
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 floral.
Pinot Noir
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.
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Cortese
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Langhe Nebbiolo
Langhe Nebbiolo 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.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Red Burgundy
curatedComparable weight and acidity in a more celebrated package.
Expect: Earthier and rounder, without the leafy edge — and far more expensive.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Rhône blend
California Rhône blend scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 broader and softer.
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 broader and softer, and more herbal and green.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
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.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 broader and softer, 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.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
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.