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.

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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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How fresh and crisp it is The herbal, green side

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too sharp or acidic too alcoholic or warming too green or grassy too floral or soapy too earthy or musty

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
The herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.

Looking for something keeping the herbal, green edge and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming, too sharp or acidic and too green or grassy.

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 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

curated

Bierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Mencía

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Australian Grenache

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

Bierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.

Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

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 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 less floral.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

Bierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.

Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.

Mencía

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more fruit-driven.

Australian Grenache

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

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.

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.

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 more herbal and green.

Poulsard

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

País

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 riper and less green.

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 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 in alcohol, and riper and less green.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

Bierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.

Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 spicier.

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 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 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 lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Super Tuscan

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 broader and softer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 fresher and more acidic.

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 more herbal and green.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

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 lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

Bierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.

Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Tinta Negra

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.

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.

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 lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Rondo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Frühburgunder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

Bolgheri

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 broader and softer.

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 lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

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 less oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Loire Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.

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 more aromatic.

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 more aromatic.

Super Tuscan

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 broader and softer.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Australian Grenache

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Uco Valley Malbec

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 in alcohol.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

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 spicier.

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.

Cahors

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 in 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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Bolgheri

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 broader and softer.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

California Rhône blend

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

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 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 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 lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Super Tuscan

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 broader and softer.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

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 in alcohol.

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.

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 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 more herbal and green.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Bolgheri

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 broader and softer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

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 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 more restrained in fruit.

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 lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Super Tuscan

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 broader and softer.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

Bierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.

Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be 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 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 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.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

Bierzo Mencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality.

Expect: Slightly riper, with more Mediterranean herb character.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be 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 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 lighter in alcohol, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 spicier.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and spicier.

Sangiovese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

How these are chosen

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.