Dec 2015
Cabernet Franc
December, 2015 Filed in: Wine varieties
Our December Passport Series offering is a blend from Australia of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. And in April, our Winexpert Limited Edition Fourtitude is a blend of four juices, one of them being Cabernet Franc. Everyone is familiar with Cabernet Sauvignon, but what is this Cabernet Franc?
DNA testing has shown that Cabernet Sauvignon was developed by breeding Cabernet Franc with Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Franc thus has many of the same characteristics as Cabernet Sauvignon, however it is often called the “feminine side” of Cabernet Sauvignon. Compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is more aromatic, slightly lighter in body, lower in acids and not massive and tannic as Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc is also the parent of Merlot and Carmenere.
Cabernet Franc is seldom used on it’s own, but rather is blended most commonly with Cabernet Sauvignon. It is also found in many French Bordeaux wines which will also include such grapes as Merlot, and Malbec. Cabernet Franc will soften the overall blend, and provide wonderful aromas of tobacco and raspberry. Because it has a shorter growing season than Cabernet Sauvignon it is becoming more popular in Canada, particularly in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario.
DNA testing has shown that Cabernet Sauvignon was developed by breeding Cabernet Franc with Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Franc thus has many of the same characteristics as Cabernet Sauvignon, however it is often called the “feminine side” of Cabernet Sauvignon. Compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is more aromatic, slightly lighter in body, lower in acids and not massive and tannic as Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc is also the parent of Merlot and Carmenere.
Cabernet Franc is seldom used on it’s own, but rather is blended most commonly with Cabernet Sauvignon. It is also found in many French Bordeaux wines which will also include such grapes as Merlot, and Malbec. Cabernet Franc will soften the overall blend, and provide wonderful aromas of tobacco and raspberry. Because it has a shorter growing season than Cabernet Sauvignon it is becoming more popular in Canada, particularly in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario.