Cabernet Franc
/cab-er-nay frahn/Cabernet Franc is one of the great undervalued grapes of the wine world — the often-overlooked parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, and an integral partner in Bordeaux blends. On its own, particularly in the Loire Valley (Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur-Champigny), it produces fragrant, herbal, silky wines of great charm. In Napa and other New World regions, it is increasingly singled out for single-variety wines of elegance and aromatic complexity. It tends to be softer and more perfumed than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Grape profile
Character & style
| Trait | Character |
|---|---|
| Body | medium |
| Acidity | medium |
| Tannins | medium |
| Sweetness | dry |
| Alcohol tendency | medium |
| Origin | Bordeaux, France |
| Common flavours | raspberry, cherry, violet, graphite, herb, tobacco |
| Aromas | violet, raspberry, cassis, graphite, tobacco, crushed stone, herbs |
Pairing
Best food pairings
- Roast chicken
- duck
- pork
- soft cheeses
- herb-crusted lamb
- mushroom dishes
Where it thrives
Key regions for Cabernet Franc
France, United States, Italy, Argentina, Canada
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the world's most famous wine region and the benchmark for fine red blends. Left-bank gravel favour…
Loire Valley
The Loire produces some of the world's most refreshing wines: the gooseberry snap of Sancerre, honeyed Chenin …
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is America's most famous wine region and the global standard for New World Cabernet Sauvignon, a v…
Washington State
Washington's eastern Columbia Valley, with its big diurnal swings and irrigated desert soils, produces sophist…