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Wines

Cabernet Franc

Wine style and varietal guide

Reviewed by Suggest a correction
  • Red
  • Red • Dry
  • 12–14% ABV
  • Full body
  • Dry sweetness
  • medium-high acidity

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

  • ✓You prefer dry, crisp wines without residual sweetness.
  • ✓You enjoy firm tannins and structured red wines.
  • ✓You want a full-bodied, rich wine to pair with hearty food.

Skip if…

  • ✗You prefer sweeter or off-dry wines.
  • ✗You prefer smooth, low-tannin or white wines.
  • ✗You prefer lighter, more delicate wine styles.

At a Glance

12–14%ABV
DrySweetness
medium-highAcidity
HighTannin
FullBody
16°CServe

Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →

On this page

What is Cabernet Franc?

A medium-bodied red wine with herbaceous and bell pepper aromas, high acidity, and moderate tannins. Flavors of red fruits, violet, raspberry, and sometimes pencil lead.

Taste profile

Dry sweetnessmedium-high acidityHigh tanninsFull bodyRed FruitHerbalPepperyTannic
Red Fruit(high)Herbal(high)Peppery(medium)Tannic(low)

Sensory profile

BodyLight – Full
DrynessSweet – Bone dry
TanninSoft – Grippy
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
Beginner-friendlyAcquired taste – Easy intro
  • Style: Red
  • ABV range: 12–14%
  • Full body
  • Dry sweetness

What do these dimensions mean?

Body
Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
medium-high
Tannin
High
  • Red Fruit · high intensity — Cabernet Franc commonly shows red fruit character.
  • Herbal · high intensity — Cabernet Franc is strongly associated with herbal notes.
  • Peppery · medium intensity — Cabernet Franc can show pepper-like character.
  • Tannic · low intensity — Cabernet Franc commonly has moderate tannic structure.

Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.

Grape & region

Grape varieties
Cabernet Franc
Region(s)
Loire Valley, Bordeaux, California, Canada
Country
France / global
Sweetness
Dry
Skin contact
Moderate red-wine skin contact

Principal wine regions

A principal grape in Bordeaux, California, Ontario — explore the regions known for it.

How it’s made

Method
Red wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes, fermented on skins for colour, savoury aroma and medium tannin; oak use varies by region and producer.

How to serve

Serving temperature
16°C
Glassware
Standard wine glass

When to serve

DinnerSavoury foodRed meatAged cheeseRed

Dietary

How Cabernet Franc fits common dietary preferences (general guidance — always check the specific producer).

  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-Free

Also known as

Cab Franc (common_short_name)

Frequently asked questions

What is Cabernet Franc?
A medium-bodied red wine with herbaceous and bell pepper aromas, high acidity, and moderate tannins. Flavors of red fruits, violet, raspberry, and sometimes pencil lead.
What does Cabernet Franc taste like?
Cabernet Franc is often described as Red Fruit, Herbal, Peppery, Tannic. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and vintage.
What foods pair with Cabernet Franc?
Cabernet Franc pairs well with Charcuterie, Cheese Board, Roast Meat, Steak. Food pairing suggestions are based on complementary flavour profiles.
How strong is Cabernet Franc?
Cabernet Franc typically has an ABV of 12–14%. Strength varies by producer and vintage.
When should I drink Cabernet Franc?
Cabernet Franc works well as an aperitif, with a meal, or as a standalone sipping wine. The ideal occasion depends on the body and sweetness level — lighter styles suit casual dining while fuller-bodied wines complement heartier dishes.
What wines are similar to Cabernet Franc?
If you enjoy Cabernet Franc, explore other wine styles with a similar body and flavour profile using the sensory bars as a guide. Wines with matching acidity and tannin scores will feel closest in character.
Does Cabernet Franc improve with age?
Cellaring potential for Cabernet Franc depends on the producer, vintage and storage conditions. Most everyday expressions are best enjoyed within 3–5 years of release. Premium examples may benefit from longer ageing — check producer notes for guidance.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Tannin/Bitterness (soft to grippy), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent), Boldness (delicate to bold) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare wine styles at a glance.
How do I use the sensory profile to find wines I like?
If you enjoy light, crisp wines look for Light Body with Crisp Acidity. For bold, rich wines choose Full Body with Grippy Tannin. Compare Cabernet Franc with similar wine styles to find your next favourite.

Last updated

Wine style information is approximate and varies by producer, region, vintage and serving size.