ABOUT   RETAILERS & AGENTS   CONTACT          
WineScores
Because We All Want to Know the Score!
Join WineScores!
It's Free!
Cabernet Franc
Apr 04, 2013
Cabernet Franc is a noble grape variety (vitus vinifera).
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, classic descriptors of Cabernet Franc
It generally produces medium to full bodied red wines with less intensity of colour and capacity for ageing than it's son, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Classically known one component in the famous red wines of Bordeaux and the red grape of the Loire Valley it is now grown around the world.
It is commonly blended (generally with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) in most places it is grown but it seems to shine as a single varietal in places like the Loire Valley and British Columbia. 

"Green" flavours (caused by pyrazines) common in Cabernet Franc are more common in cooler climates with shorter growing seasons. With longer growing seasons, aka time on vine these pyrazine or "green" flavours are greatly diminished. Because Cabernet Franc is an earlier ripening variety it can succeed in climates cooler than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Classic Descriptors:
Although common descriptors of Cabernet Franc include: red berries (currents, raspberry), peppery spice, roasted cocoa, purple floral tones and green bell pepper or green olives it will also reflect the region or terroir it is grown in.

Additional:
Cabernet Franc is grown around the world from Eastern Europe to Italy, Spain and Portugal as well as France. It appears in South America, North America, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are the genetic parents of Cabernet Sauvignon.

~Daenna Van Mulligen

Related:
Learn more about Pinot Noir
Learn more about Cabernet Sauvignon

 

WineDiva.ca was launched prior to WineScores, in February 2004. WineDiva is the alter ego of Daenna Van Mulligen. She wears a cork tiara and is proof that a girl can have her w(h)ine and drink it too! WineDiva.ca is a tongue-in-cheek approach to a very serious passion for all things wine. WineDiva’s goal is to make wine fun, subtly educational & deviously inspirational. Vintage reciting wine snobs need not apply. WineDiva is painting the wine world pink and drinking it all in, and her glass is always (at least) half-full.

WineScores is the more serious follow up to WineDiva.ca. WineScores was born from the demand to see wine writer Daenna Van Mulligen provide scores on her wine reviews. These are numerical scores based on a 100 point scale – an internationally recognized form of rating wines. These numbers provide a snapshot for consumers on how the wine reviewer views the overall quality of the wine. For more information on scoring wine, go to “about”.

We do not share your email address with anyone. Your email address will be used for the WineDiva newsletter You can opt out of receiving the newsletter anytime.

All material copyrighted. Unauthorized use is prohibited.                                                                                                            Contact | Home