This is what good wine from the Cabernet Franc grape tastes like

Cabernet Franc produces subtle red wines. They are softer than Cabernet Sauvignon, with less tannin and a finer texture. Cabernet Franc wines often have, alongside ripe raspberries, a hint of pencil shavings on the nose and a somewhat earthy or vegetal flavor, reminiscent of green bell pepper.

Check out our wines made from Cabernet Franc grapes

Although Cabernet Franc can be considered the progenitor of the Cabernet family, it is overshadowed by the popular Cabernet Sauvignon. Because it thrives in cooler climates and requires less sun and heat than Cabernet Sauvignon, it is often planted in Bordeaux as an "insurance grape." If the summer is too cool, Cabernet Franc will cushion the mediocre Cabernet Sauvignon harvest.

n Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is mainly found in the cool Pomerol and St. Emilion regions, where Cabernet Sauvignon rarely thrives. It is usually blended with Merlot here. Cabernet Franc makes such a blend softer, with fewer tannins.

In the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc is not in the shadows, but in the spotlight. This is where some of the finest varietal Cabernet Franc wines are made, particularly in Chinon and Bourgueil. It's also a popular grape in Friuli, northern Italy.

In Szekszárd, southern Hungary, they also make excellent wines from Cabernet Franc, though unknown. In Lebanon, they've been making good wine from it since the beginning of the last century. It's also found in cooler parts of the New World, such as Canada, the cooler provinces of Australia, and Northern California.

We currently have sixteen wines made from the Cabernet Franc grape in our range. You can view our Cabernet Franc wines here.