Wine Grape: Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a red wine grape, originally from Bordeaux. In the 17th century, Cardinal Richelieu had the Abbot Breton plant the vine at the Abbey of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the Loire Valley where it produces fantastic wines. Today it is grown throughout the world.
The word 'cabernet' probably comes from 'carbon' and refers to its dark color. Cabernet Franc is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is frequently confused with Carmenère, especially in Italy and Chile. Cabernet Franc is the parent of the Cabernet family and ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Synonyms
Also known as Bidure, Bordò, Bouchet, Bouchy, Breton, Cabernet Francese, Cabonet, Carbenet, Gros Cabernet, Grosse Vidure, Kaberne Franck, Plant Breton
Where
France: Bordeaux, Loire, Poitou-Charentes, Provence, Southwestern France
Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Trentino, Tuscany, Veneto
USA: California, Washington, New York, Virginia, Georgia
Also: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Greece, Hungary, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain
Principal Wines
France: Bordeaux: Bordeaux AOC, Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, Bordeaux Clairet AOC, Bordeaux Rosé AOC, Bordeaux-Côtes-de-Francs AOC, Côtes-de-Blaye AOC, Canon-Fronsac AOC, Côtes-de-Bourg AOC, Côtes-de-Castillon AOC, Fronsac AOC, Graves-de-Vayres AOC, Haut-Médoc AOC, Graves AOC, Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC, Lussac-Satin-Emilion AOC, Margaux AOC, Médoc AOC, Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC, Moulis-en-Mécdoc AOC, Pauillac AOC, Pessac-Léognan AOC, Pomerol AOC, Premières-Côtes-de-Bordeaux AOC, Puissseguin-Saint-Emilion AOC, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOC, Saint-Emilion AOC, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC, Saint-Estèphe AOC, Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion AOC, Saint-Julien AOC; Loire: Anjou AOC, Anjou-Villages AOC, Anjou-Villages-Brissac AOC, Bougueil AOC, Cabernet-d'Anjou AOC, Cabernet-de-Saumur AOC, Chaverny AOC, Chinon AOC, Coteaux-du-Loir AOC, Coteaux-du-Vendômois AOC, Crémant-de-Loire AOC, Haut-Poitou AOC, Orléanais AOC, Rosé-d'Anjou AOC, Rosé-de-Loire AOC, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC, Saumur AOC, Saumur-Champigny AOC, Touaine AOC, Touraine-Amboise AOC, Touraine-Mesland AOC, Valençay AOC; Poitou-Charentes: Pineau-des-Charentes AOC; Provence: Coteaux-Varois AOC; Southwestern France: Béarn AOC, Béarn-Bellocq AOC, Bergerac AOC, Buzet AOC, Côtes-du-Frontaonnais AOC, Côtes-du-Marmandais AOC, Floc-de-Gascogne AOC, Gaillac AOC, Irouléguy AOC, Madiran AOC, Marcillac AOC, Pécharmant AOC, Tursan AOC
Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC, Collio Goriziano or Collio DOC, Friuli-Isonzo or Isonzo del Friuli DOC, Friuli-Annia DOC, Friuli-Aquileia DOC, Friuli-Latisana DOC, Friuli-Grave DOC, Carso DOC; Lombardy: Garda DOC, Garda Colli Mantovani DOC; Trentino: Trentino DOC, Valdadige Terra dei Forti DOC; Tuscany: Montescudaio DOC, Super Tuscan IGTs; Veneto: Colli Euganei DOC, Bagnoli di Sopra or Bagnoli DOC, Merlara DOC, Arcole DOC, Breganze DOC, Colli Berici DOC, Vicenza DOC, Montello e Colli Asolani DOC, Piave or Vini del Piave DOC, Lison-Pramaggiore DOC
Characteristics
Color: Ruby red with purple hues. A little lighter in color than Cabernet Sauvignon
Nose: Fruity (raspberry), Vegetal (green pepper), Floral (Violet)
Palate: Less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon
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