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, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming, too sharp or acidic and too earthy or musty.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character 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.
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.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
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 bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
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.
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 in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 in alcohol, and lighter.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
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 in alcohol, and earthier.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter in alcohol.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
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 in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fuller and richer, 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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
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 in alcohol, and earthier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
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 in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
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 in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fuller and richer.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.