Cabernet Franc: taste, styles and the dishes that match

33 styles and 483 dish scores from our sommelier database

Choosing Cabernet Franc gets easier once you know why it fits. This guide bundles the styles, the taste profile and the best-scoring dishes from our sommelier database — with Rump steak with mushrooms as the classic.

Taste profile (Wine DNA)

Averaged across the styles in our database, Cabernet Franc shows fresh acidity, is medium-bodied and exuberantly fruity, with soft tannins.

Well-known Cabernet Franc styles

• Cabernet Franc · New World — full-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins, subtle oak notes
  Eenvoudigste kwaliteit rode wijnen van de Cabernet Franc druivensoort (eventueel geblend).
• Cabernet Franc USA East Coast · East Coast — full-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins, subtle oak notes
  Eenvoudigste kwaliteit rode wijnen van de Cabernet Franc druivensoort (eventueel geblend).
• Sparkling red · World — light-bodied, pronounced freshness
  Makkelijk drinkbare, fruitrijke droge en mousserende rode wijnen die niet tot specifieke categoriëen voor deze types wijnen behoren.
• Sparkling rose · World — light-bodied, pronounced freshness
  Makkelijk drinkbare mousserende wijn met rood fruit en een tikje zoet.
• Bergerac and Cahors · Southwest — medium-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins
  Bergerac, Côtes de Bergerac, de Duras, de Montravel, du Marmandais, Cahors, Buzet, Pecharmant rouge, Saint Mont and IGP's from southwestern France.
• Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur · Bordeaux — medium-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins
  Entry to mid market level of fruity red wines from cabernet sauvignon and merlot based blends with light tannins.
• Bobal · Spain — full-bodied, fresh acidity, firm tannins, subtle oak notes
  Vooral rond Valencia interessante kwaliteit leverende rode druivensoort.
• Carmenere · Chile — full-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins, subtle oak notes
  Entry level and young drinking, spicy red wine from the grape variety by the same name.

Price-wise Cabernet Franc covers the full range: of the 33 styles in our database, 30% sit in the entry segment, 45% mid-range and 24% at the top end. You will find both a weekday bottle and a cellar-worthy wine in this grape.

The best-scoring dishes with Cabernet Franc

The dishes below come from our expert scoring: every combination was scored by sommeliers using the Wine DNA of both dish and wine. These are the strongest matches for Cabernet Franc styles, from classic to surprising.

1. Rump steak with mushrooms — best style: Bergerac and Cahors
2. Roasted Thick skirt, Gravy, Boiled Polenta, Boiled White asparagus, Blanched French beans, Thyme — best style: Pauillac Grand Cru Classé
3. Fried entrecôte and beef stew — best style: Pauillac Grand Cru Classé
4. Tournedos rossini — best style: Margaux Grand Cru Classé
5. Fried angus tournedos — best style: Pauillac Grand Cru Classé
6. Fried hamburger — best style: Malbec
7. Fried tournedos — best style: Margaux Grand Cru Classé
8. Tournedos with Pepper Sauce — best style: Margaux Grand Cru Classé
9. Fried angus steak — best style: Margaux Grand Cru Classé
10. Tournedos with Béarnaise Sauce — best style: Margaux Grand Cru Classé
11. Fried & oven-prepared beef loin — best style: Margaux Grand Cru Classé
12. Tournedos with Béarnaise Sauce — best style: Margaux Grand Cru Classé

Frequently asked questions

What does Cabernet Franc taste like?

Averaged across the styles in our database, Cabernet Franc shows fresh acidity, is medium-bodied and exuberantly fruity, with soft tannins. It varies by style: see the overview above.

What food goes with Cabernet Franc?

The highest scores in our sommelier work: Rump steak with mushrooms, Roasted Thick skirt, Gravy, Boiled Polenta, Boiled White asparagus, Blanched French beans, Thyme, Fried entrecôte and beef stew. The full list is above.

Is Cabernet Franc a red wine?

In our database Cabernet Franc is mostly made as a red wine (33 linked styles); regional exceptions exist.

More grape guides