The Other Cabernet

Yeah, you know about Cabernet Sauvignon, but how about Cabernet Franc? Cab Franc is actually a parent of the Cab Sauv grape (the other being Sauvignon Blanc) so they are genetically related.

 Most of the word's Cabernet Franc is planted in France where there are over 80,000 acres compared with 4,000 in the U.S. (the majority in California). Cab Franc is often blended with the likes of Cab Sauv and Merlot as it is in many of the famous Bordeaux wines. It's grown in many regions of the U.S. with the most popular being Napa and Sonoma counties in California and in Washington state.

Cabernet Franc is a less tannic, medium-bodied wine compared to Cab Sauv. Depending on the climate the grapes are grown in the wine can show greenness, pepper, tobacco, but probably herbal plus red or black fruit are most common. It's very aromatic. Some think of it as a feminine Cab Sauv.

You don't need to age Cab Franc as you often do with Cab Sauv, but the best ones will age. It's an easy-drinking wine. It also makes a good summer substitute for  Cab Sauv. Food pairings are beef and pork with some of the lighter versions of Cab Franc working well with chicken and fish.