
Cabernet Franc Wine
Learn about Cabernet Franc — taste profile, popular regions and more …
The subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets, Cabernet Franc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. While both are important grapes in modern day, high quality Bordeaux, interestingly, Cabernet Franc most likely originated from the Basque region of France sometime during the middle 1600s. Today Cabernet Franc produces outstanding single varietal wines across the wine producing world, with some of its most classic examples from France’s Loire Valley, in the regions of Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny. Outside of France, Cabernet Franc performs quite well in parts of California, New York and Virginia. It is also a great blending grape.
Cabernet Franc Tasting Notes
Cabernet Franc is a dry red wine and typically tastes of red raspberry, strawberry and herb, with a stunning perfume of violets, tobacco and spice.
Cabernet Franc Food Pairings
Mouthwatering acidity makes Cabernet Franc an incredibly food-friendly wine, helping to cut through the richness of fatty meat dishes. It especially shines in tandem with lamb, and its affinity for the spice cabinet allows it to pair perfectly with Chinese dishes prepared with Szechuan pepper and five-spice.
Sommelier Secrets for Cabernet Franc
One of California's best-kept secrets is the Happy Canyon appellation of Santa Barbara. Here Cabernet Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory aromas and polished tannins.
- Bordeaux Red Blends315
- Syrah/Shiraz140
- Cabernet Sauvignon134
- Pinot Noir88
- Rhône Blends75
- Nebbiolo59
- Other Red Blends41
- Tempranillo39
- Merlot25
- Sangiovese24
- Malbec18
- Grenache10
- Zinfandel10
- Tuscan Blends8
- Cabernet Franc7
- Gamay6
- Barbera4
- Carmenere4
- Petite Sirah3
- Pinotage3
- Other Red Wine2
- Aglianico1
- Carignan1
- Corvina1
- Mourvedre1
- Nero d'Avola1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Xinomavro1
-
Le Macchiole Paleo 2005Cabernet Franc from Tuscany, Italy
- W&S
- WS
- RP
-
Couly-Dutheil Clos l'Echo Chinon 2005Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
- WS
-
Cave de Saumur Saumur Champigny Lieu-dit Les Poyeux 2005Cabernet Franc from Saumur, Loire, France
- WS
-
Catherine & Pierre Breton Trinch! 2005Cabernet Franc from Loire, France
- WS
-
Poggio al Tesoro Dedicato A Walter Toscana 2005Cabernet Franc from Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Catherine & Pierre Breton Bourgueil Les Galichets 2005Cabernet Franc from Loire, France
- WS
-
Couly-Dutheil Chinon La Baronnie Madeleine 2005Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
- WS