Cabernet Franc is a distinguished and fragrant red grape variety, widely planted but often overshadowed by its more famous genetic offspring Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Franc displays bright red berry fruit with a leafy aroma and often a savoury hint of pencil shavings. Lighter bodied and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings freshness and elegance to a Bordeaux blend. These attributes are also prized in warmer climates, even if Cabernet Franc shows a richer character here.
Cabernet Franc is thought to have Basque origins, but by the 18th century this variety had already travelled via south-west France to become an important component in Bordeaux. It has an even longer, successful history in the Loire, in appellations like Saumur, Chinon and Bourgueil.
Cabernet Franc ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, allowing it to perform well in slightly cooler regions. This factor has helped make the variety a major component of many Bordeaux Right Bank blends and explains its significant plantings in the Middle Loire, Frnce. In warmer climates, Cabernet Franc’s ability to retain freshness is particularly prized in the Super Tuscans of Bolgheri, Italy, and Villány in Hungary. The grape is now found across the globe, usually with a supporting role in Bordeaux-style blends. Cabernet Franc also shines in regions too cool to reliably ripen Cabernet Sauvignon, most notably Washington State and New York State, as well as Niagara in Canada.
Cabernet Franc’s bright fruit and moderate tannins lend themselves to making crisp rosé, a speciality of the Loire. Its lighter red wines, served cool, can be an excellent match with strawberries.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Aceria, Acheria, Beron, Aroia, Baro, Cabernet bresciano, Cabernet Aunis, Boubet, Bouchet Saint-Émilion, Bouchet, Bouchy, Bordo Magher, Burdelas Tinto, Cabernet Franco, Cabernet Frank, Cabernet Carbouet, Cabernet francese, Gamay de Ricenay, Kaberne Frank, Couahort pro Parte, Méssanges Rouge, Morenoa, Gros Bouchet, Gamput, Mencía, Plant Breton, Petite Vigne Dure, Plant de l’Abbé Breton, Plant des Sables, Sable Rouge, Noir Dur, Trouchet, Trouchet Noir, Véron, Veron Bouchy, Véronais, Rouge
