International Cabernet Franc Day

Cabernet Franc is a red grape and it is among the twenty most widely planted grape varieties in the whole world. The Cabernet Franc grape is the parent grape of two other very common red grape varieties: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Scroll down this blog post to learn more about this versatile grape and find out what to cook to pair a nice glass of Cabernet Franc on 4th December, International Cabernet Franc Day.

Where is Cabernet Franc from?

Cabernet Franc probably has Illyrian origins and its history began hundreds of years ago in the Basque Countries, on the border between France and Spain. The name of this grape is actually unknown and unclear, but some theories suggest that it might come from Latin and that it probably means “black vine of France”.

What is known for sure is that the Cabernet Franc grape is an ancestor of Cabernet Sauvignon, which was born in the Middle Ages as a result of a spontaneous cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.

Where to Drink Cabernet Franc

Being a vine that can easily adapt to many different climates, including cold wines, Cabernet Franc grows very well in many types of soils and can be found in warm and cold wine regions.

Cabernet Franc has been growing in the Bordeaux wine region at least since the 17th century. Indeed, in this region it is usually blended with other red grapes to produce Bordeaux-style red wines, but in some cases, it is also used as a single-varietal wine. Cabernet Franc is commonly called Bouchet in Bordeaux.

Bordeaux isn’t the only wine region in France where Cabernet Franc thrives. In fact, you can also find it in the Loire Valley wine region, where it is called Breton, and is widely used as a component of spectacular rosé wines from Anjou, together with Cabernet Sauvignon.

The second largest producer of Cabernet Franc is Italy. Cabernet Franc grape is very popular in Tuscany, where it is used as a single varietal, but also in the northern wine region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Cabernet Franc has actually also conquered some parts of the New World and today it also grows in some areas of California (Sierra Foothills) and more recently it started to be used as a single-varietal in the Colchagua Valley in Chile.

Best Wineries Where to Taste Cabernet Franc

Where would you like to taste Cabernet Franc wine? Find the best winery among those we chose for you!

Château Delacour

Saint-Émilion

Château Perron

Lalande-de-Pomerol

Adamo Lestani

Udine

Podere 7

Tuscany

Madroña Vineyards

Sierra Foothills, CA

Tóth Ferenc Pincészet

Hungary

Cabernet Franc Tasting Notes

In a glass, Cabernet Franc showcases a dark ruby colour that can tend to garnet in aged wines. Generally, Cabernet Franc is a round, medium-bodied, warm red wine with a very distinguished freshness that makes it a very likeable and easy red wine to drink.

The bouquet of Cabernet Franc presents primary nuances of red and black pepper, leaves and dark fruits such as blackcurrants, raspberries and blueberries. It can also present a smoky hint. The secondary aromas are more earthy and herbaceous, while the balsamic charge and aromas of mint and chocolate are unmistakable. If you find them, you know it’s a delicious Cabernet Franc.

Wines made using 100% Cabernet Franc grapes are very delicate and mostly present aromas of red fruits like cherries and strawberries.

Cabernet Franc Food Pairing

Cabernet Franc is a medium-bodied wine that can naturally be paired with a wide variety of foods due to its high acidity and reduced tannin. Thanks to its high acidity, Cabernet Franc can be served along with tomato-based dishes, smoky sauces like BBQ sauce, so of course it can be great with a burger, and veggies with a rich flavour like peppers, mushrooms and lentils. Roast eggplants are also a delicious pairing with the wine’s acidity.

The herbal nuances in Cabernet Franc make the wine the perfect companion to roasted green vegetables, which could be spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli.

More complex Cabernet Francs are perfect to serve on a dinner with lamb and beef, while lighter and fresher styles of Cabernet Franc are the best choice if you are serving tuna, salmon, semi-hard cheeses or duck.

If your goal is to pair wines with cheeses, here’s a list of the finest cheeses to serve with Cabernet Franc: Brie, Camembert, Blue Cheese, goat cheese, Gorgonzola and aged Gouda.

One Grape, Many Names

One curious fact about Cabernet Franc is the long list of names used around the world to call the grape. Here are just a few in case you are looking for Cabernet Franc somewhere in the world but cannot spot the common name.