Identification and origin of Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a very old grape variety that is very often found in the South West of France . It could be the oldest red grape variety in the Bordeaux region. It has existed since the 1st century AD It gives the best of itself in the lands of Libourne. It was chosen from an old vineyard in Txakoli.
It is important to specify that two grape varieties, namely black txakoli and morena, resemble cabernet franc . The wines produced from this grape variety are less tannic and therefore age fairly quickly. For amateurs, the flavors mentioned are reminiscent of the taste of violet and raspberry. Would you like to know more about this grape variety? Here is all the necessary information on this grape variety.
Cabernet Synonyms
In Gironde, Cabernet is known as Bouchet, Breton Gros Bouchet and Bouchy . In Tursan, it is called Acheria and in the Pyrenees, it is hondarrabi beltza. Noir de Fontarrabie is its name in the Basque Country, hard black in the Orléans region, Véronais, gros Cabernet or petit Véronais. Combined with Fer Servadou and black Txakoli, it can be called Cabernet, Gros Cabernet or Gros Vidure.
Characteristics of the grape variety
Very often planted in the Loire Valley, this variety has medium and cylindrical-conical bunches. Wines made from this grape variety are less colourful, resulting in fine tannins. It is often associated with two other grape varieties namely Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon . This mixture gives it a bouquet of aromas characterized by great complexity.
The wines are fruity and best drunk young. Note that the great vintages of Cabernet Franc are wines for laying down. It must be recognized that this variety is not very productive. In the Bordeaux region, it yields around 40 hl of wine . However, its production can go up to 80 hl in Languedoc . Sensitive to diseases such as mildew and gray rot , this variety has a less intense color robe.
Type of wine and appellations
This grape variety has several appellations, namely AOC Bourgueil, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, Saint-Emilion, Cabernet de Saumur, Saumur de Champigny , etc.
AOC Bourgueil, Chinon and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil
All of these appellations are produced from a single grape variety , Cabernet Franc . The wines are produced in clay-limestone soils . Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil comes from organic farming . Its grape varieties give 50 hl of wine per hectare. The vinification is done traditionally and the aging is done in vats for 7 months. Preferably, it should be served at a temperature of 17°C with white meats, charcuterie and grilled meats.
Saint Emilion
A French red wine with a controlled designation of origin , Saint Emilion is a type A and type B grand cru classified wine like Château Cheval Blanc and Château Ausone. This vineyard occupies around 5400 m of clay-limestone , sandy and clay-loamy soils . Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet-Sauvignon are vinified in this French terroir . This vineyard produces almost 150,291 hl of red wines each year which offer a supple and less tannic mouthfeel leading to a flavor of complex aromas and red fruit flavor.
Saumur Cabernet
It is a semi-dry rosé wine made from two grape varieties, namely Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon . It originates from the Anjou region and grows easily in the Mediterranean climates of the Loire Valley . The wines produced are light, elegant and reveal a flavor of salmon and a note of white flowers. Annually, the vineyard produces approximately 4100 hectoliters of wine.
Saumur Champigny
From the AOC Saumurois, Saumur-Champigny produces 85,000 hl of wine per year. The vineyard extends over 1500 ha and the soils have the particularity of being covered with gravel and clay. The climatic conditions make it possible to obtain exceptional wines which reveal themselves on a luminous robe . These wines reveal a spicy nose jostled by the flavors of red fruits and liquorice. Although the ideal is to keep them for a few years before tasting , they can be consumed young.
Anjou-Saumur
Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are the main grape varieties of the AOC Anjou Saumur. This vineyard goes from the town of Ancenis to the town of Saumur. The climate is mild and the soils are humid , which is favorable to the development of noble rot which is also responsible for the production of sweet wines . The red wines produced there are known as Anjou Gamay, Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame… The rosés benefit from the appellation of Rosé Val de Loire or rosé d'Anjou.
However, if you need a wine from this grape variety, choose the Oé range, a site specializing in the sale of organic wine .
