Cultivating the Classic Cabernet Franc

The “Father” of Cabernet Sauvignon, this thin skinned, cool climate, “blue-black” grape is traditionally blended to finesse bolder, more robust grapes with its moderate tannins and interesting taste.

When found on its own, the wine provides a diverse fruity, vegetal, and earthy taste without overwhelming the palate. It is sometimes considered almost “cool” to drink as the flavors are not too harsh with its medium body and create notes of red fruit, berries, bell pepper, herbs, spices, and even tobacco & lime.

As one of the oldest cultivated grapes, #CabFranc can be grown almost anywhere,

from its fatherland in France, to the States (a favorite in Virginia), South America, Italy, and more countries around the world. 

Cabernet Franc is believed to have been established in the Libournais region - directly outside of Bordeaux in southwest France. The story continues as many say Cardinal Richelieu transported cuttings of the vine to the Loire Valley in the 17th century furthering its production and diversifying its flavors throughout France.

From its origin of Bordeaux directly northwest of Languedoc-Roussillon (LR) before hitting the Mediterranean coast and border of Spain, Cabernet Franc is known as the parent grape to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as well Hondarribi Beltza, a more unknown, rare grape found mostly in the Basque Country of Spain. Blending Cabernet Franc’s birthplace, the medium-bodied red grape vines lying across the Basque country of France truly brings the old world flavors of this grape alive.

The wine is loved for its savory, bell pepper-like flavors, medium-high acidity and mouthwatering taste. Though a great describer of the methoxypyrazine aroma compound (also known as “pyrazines” which lead to the bell pepper flavors in some wines), many Cabernet Francs are also exceptionally fruit juicy with the red plum and deep berry. Others find the strawberry with notes of pencil shavings or gravel and even chilli pepper. 

I always love recommending the wine to pair with yummy dishes - Due to the medium-body wine and alcohol, Cab Franc goes with almost anything but really talks up mushroom dishes with herb flavors or light, bright sauces, especially a roasted pork or meatballs. Another fun wine pairing with cheese as you can diversify the plate or goes as backyard fun as blue cheese bacon burgers - no extra toppings needed when the meat is blended together before you grill! 

What to remember about pairing Cabernet Franc, it is to match it with real herbs in your dish.

Try for yourself with some of these examples we’ve found from other online recommendations: 

Meat

• Roasted Pork, Beef Burgers or Stew, Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Chicken Tomato Curry, Turkey with Cranberry, Wild Game Hens, Lamb Gyros, Crispy Skin Trout with Pork Belly, Pâté

Cheese

• Goat Cheese (a regional French favorite), Ravioli, Camembert, Feta, Fontina, Cheese and Spinach Quiche

Herb/Spice

• Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Chervil, Jalapeño Pepper, Coriander, Aleppo Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Black Pepper

Vegetable

• Black Lentil, Red Bean, Pinto Bean, Roasted Red Pepper, Mushroom, Tomato, Eggplant, Leeks, Spinach, Sunchokes, Arugula

You may think you have never tried the Cabernet Franc wine, but chances are you’ve had the wine blended in the classic Bordeaux French wines or American Meritage blends, especially throughout California's Central Valley. 

Stay tuned for more on this grape as we travel through two of it’s predominant French Regions, the Loire Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon, then we’ll compare the old world with the newer world regions showcasing this wine.  

Until then, listen in to our live tasting on YouTube with a fellow Cabernet Franc Lover - @awine_affair at https://www.awineaffair.net/  

Tasting Tuesday with fellow Cabernet Franc love @awine_affair - join us as we pour some of our new & old world finds!

Toasting to our winter wines, Cindy & I connected over an IGLive to taste through this French favorite. We compared two different French regions then traveled into the New World talking about the differences between the fruit flavors & wine.