Cabernet Franc - The little sister of Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cabernet Franc grape is not as widespread or well known as Cabernet Sauvignon. However, it is less demanding and easier to cultivate than its big sister. In Bordeaux, it is one of six grape varieties (alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Carménère) that may be used to produce red wine. It produces wines with lower tannin content and is often used for blending to add spice to the wine.

More about Cabernet Franc

Profile

As a young wine, Cabernet Franc still has a lot of acidity and tannins. With age, it captivates with a body that is medium-bodied to pleasantly light and has a moderate tannin structure. Its profile reveals an immediate ripe fruitiness, aromas of spicy herbs and notes that are cool and fresh. The more mature a Cabernet Franc is, the less acidity it has and the softer it is. The colour is also usually lighter.

Fruit ★★★

Body ★★★

Tannin ★★★★

Acidity ★★★★

Alcohol ★★★

Aromas

All red wines made from Cabernet Franc grapes are rich, fragrant and intense in flavour. Cabernet Franc is characterised by its raspberry aroma. The best Cabernet Franc wines have a smooth density and usually shine with juicy currant and cherry notes. Mature wines made from Cabernet Franc grapes delight with aromas of cigar boxes, truffles and tobacco leaves. In a cool growing climate, Cabernet Franc grapes develop sour cherry aromas and notes of roasted peppers. The aromas shift to ripe strawberries and black raspberries when the growing region is warmer.

Dominant notes:

• Strawberry
• Roasted bell pepper
• Red plum
• Crushed gravel
• Chilli pepper

Possible notes:

• Herbs/flowers: Bell pepper, green bean, chilli pepper, black pepper, jalapeño, liquorice
• Red fruit: strawberry, sour cherry, red plum, raspberry
• Dark fruit: black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant
• Oak-aged: cocoa, coffee, tobacco, cola

Pairs well with

The versatile Cabernet Franc shimmers ruby red in the glass. It goes very well with dark meats such as game, but also with lamb and strongly seasoned poultry. It is also a good accompaniment to aromatic sauces and many types of cheese.

General information

In the world of wine, red Cabernet Franc is often referred to as the “little brother” of Cabernet Sauvignon. What many people don't know is that the very old Cabernet Franc variety is a “parent” of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc were crossed to create Cabernet Sauvignon, although it is unclear where the Cabernet Franc grape variety comes from. It is believed to be descended from wild vines. In any case, the Cabernet Franc vine has been at home in Bordeaux, France, for centuries.

There it is also known under the names Chinon, Bourgueil, Bouchet or Breton. There are around 80 different names for this red grape variety worldwide. This suggests that the variety is very old and widespread. Today, this globetrotting vine is mainly grown in South Africa, France, Italy, the USA, Hungary and Chile. Around 35,500 hectares of vineyards there are planted with Cabernet Franc vines.

In terms of climatic conditions, Cabernet Franc is very undemanding, which is why it is one of the most widely grown grape varieties in the world. It prefers a balanced and temperate climate, although it is very weather-resistant and therefore also thrives in cooler wine regions. Another advantage of the Cabernet Franc vine is that it is much more productive than the Cabernet Sauvignon vine. Its grapes also ripen about ten days earlier, which protects them better from the autumn rains. Cabernet Franc vines are therefore a kind of life insurance for winegrowers if the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes fail to ripen in a given year.

Cabernet Franc is one of the cooler medium-bodied red wines and always has a menthol note. Cabernet Franc wines shine with many different shades of red. As they are also very fruity, they are ideal for blending wines. In the famous Bordeaux wines, Cabernet Franc shines alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Malbec and Merlot. Cabernet Franc wines are often used in red wine cuvées to create delicious combinations. There are relatively few single-varietal Cabernet Franc red wines, but those that do exist delight with their fine spiciness. South Africa, for example, is known for its excellent single-varietal Cabernet Franc wines.