A guide to buying Cabernet Franc wine | How to choose a red wine
Known as a blending partner with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc plays a vital role in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux wine regions. The red grape variety is used to make silky and elegant reds in Bordeaux and is one of the five major grape varieties in the area; however, Cabernet Franc is also becoming increasingly more popular in countries such as South Africa, Italy and the USA.
This guide will explore what you should consider when buying Cabernet Franc wines, including the differences between the regions and popular winemaking techniques.
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What kind of wine is Cabernet Franc?
Cabernet Franc yields a style of red wine that is relatively soft and accessible, and has similarities with Merlot, despite being the ancestor of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc lacks the imposing structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon and is generally medium-bodied; making it taste much lighter and a paler shade of red.
Cabernet Franc wine offers a silky texture, moderate tannin and a familiar aroma of red berries, black cherry, bell pepper, and graphite. Moreover, despite the reasonable textural comparisons with Merlot, Cabernet Franc tends to be fresher and has a brighter perfume. The acidity of Cabernet Franc ranges from medium to high; however, this typically does not overpower the taste.
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Cabernet Franc by region
France
Cabernet Franc has flourished in Saint-Emilion since the late eighteenth century, albeit the variety rarely dominates any blend in Bordeaux; Cheval Blanc is one of the key exceptions. Cheval Blanc implements a high amount of Cabernet Franc in its blend alongside other grape varieties. Many magnificent clarets include Cabernet Franc, producing wines endowed with an intoxicating perfume and unrivalled finesse.
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Many of the best red wines of the Middle Loire Valley are single varietal Cabernet Franc, including in regions Chinon and Bourgueli. Chinon arguably makes the lightest and silkiest interpretations of the fruit, with an aroma of raspberry and bell pepper, due to being cultivated on a patchwork of different soils, including sand, tuffeau, and gravel. In Bourgueli, Cabernet Franc wines are darker and typically heavier-bodied than in other regions.
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Italy
Although Cabernet Sauvignon is by far the most popular international red grape planted on Italian soil, its parent has demonstrated a real affinity with the terroirs of eastern and central Italy. It produces relatively light and elegant single-varietal wine in the hills of Friuli Venezia Giulia, which benefit from the tempering influence of the Adriatic. Planted on marl and sandstone terroir, a third of the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC vineyards are devoted to producing delicious and balanced reds.
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However, the warm climate of Tuscany yields a very different style of Cabernet Franc. The red fruits are intertwined with mocha notes, violets, and chocolate. Known as a “Super Tuscan” wine, Cabernet Franc is also a mainstay of the Bordeaux blends of Bolgheri facing the Tyrrhenian Sea.
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USA
Cabernet Franc has become vastly popular on the US East Coast. There are currently about 3,400 hectares planted in California, where the majority are found in Napa Valley and the Central Coast. Stylistically, the wines run the whole gamut, from gently made and extracted Loire Valley imitations to the voluptuous essences of super-ripe fruit.
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Further north, the continental climate of Washington State has proved excellent for ripening Bordeaux grapes, particularly in the Walla Walla and Horse Heaven Hills. The latter’s predominately clay soils suit Cabernet Franc perfectly.
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Chile
Chile is one of the newer countries that offers single-varietal Cabernet Franc wines. Whilst the grape is found across the country, most are planted in the Maule, Curicó, Colchagua Valley and Maipo regions
The Chileans are also keen on traditional Bordeaux blends, combining Cabernet Franc with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds freshness and verve to these concentrated reds. Aromas include black cherry, chocolate and green peppercorn, and the tannins are expected to taste moderately high but ripe.
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Cabernet Franc viticulture & winemaking
Cabernet Franc is not easy to cultivate, despite its laudable virtues. In Bordeaux, the red wine tends to bud and ripen about a week earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, which is useful in cooler vintages. This makes Cabernet Franc popular with Bordeaux winemakers as an insurance fruit.
Nevertheless, the vine is susceptible to disease and rot due to its relatively thin skins and small berries. Unripe Cabernet Franc can become green and vegetal, so keeping the yields down and green harvest (the process of removing extra grape bunches from a vine) in summer is important. Many believe it is vital that the vine must be at least fifteen years old to produce top-quality fruit, and conventional wisdom suggests that some clay or limestone in the subsoil is essential. Cabernet Franc needs heat to ripen; however, it doesn’t like hydric stress and performs badly on sandy soils due to the lack of drainage.
Different Cabernet Franc winemaking techniques
Most winemakers conform to a paradigm that attempts to extract good colour and aroma from the grape, without picking up an excess of tannin.
In the 20th century, the Burgundian pigeage technique became quite popular in Bordeaux. This refers to punching down the floating wine cap to ensure the fermenting juice enjoys prolonged contact with the skins. Yet, some argue that the traditional pump-over method is preferable, as the fermenting juice is exposed to oxygen and helps lower the reduction risk.
All the top Bordeaux wines are aged in wood; look for wines aged between five and seven years that include a blend of Cabernet Franc. The duration and percentage of new oak will depend on the priorities and preferences of the winemaker.
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How do you choose a Cabernet Franc wine?
A good Cabernet Franc wine is seductive, with aromas of berries and plum-like fruits that give way to a silky palate and nice tannins. This makes Cabernet Franc wines an ideal complement to richer sauces and sweet-spicy smoked meats. It is also good for pairing with vegetarian meals, like Ratatouille, and strong cheeses like Roquefort and Stilton. Some of the lightest expressions are found in the Loire Valley, while California leads the pack in concentration, rich fruit, and fullness of body.
Alternative wines to Cabernet Franc include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.
Learn more about wines from the Loire Valley region at our Advice Centre.
Frequently asked questions
Are Merlot wines sweeter than Cabernets?
Merlot wines can give the impression of sweetness on the palate; however, so can Cabernet Franc produced in hotter climes. If you seek lower alcohol and savoury tannins, explore the wines of Chinon, Bourgueil, and St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil.
Related pages
An insider’s guide to red wine from the Loire Valley