Wine
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc, a close relation to Cabernet Sauvignon, is the third most important varietal in Bordeaux and the main red varietal in France’s Loire Valley. Beyond this, it is not considered as important in the rest of the world where plantings are a tiny fraction of those of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Flavor Descriptors
Food Pairings
French Cabernet Franc
This style offers such great herbal nuance, making it a wonderful accompaniment to many chicken, pork or lamb dishes. It often is light enough to pair with many types of fish as well such as salmon or trout.
American Cabernet Franc (fruitier-styled)
Works well with grilled chicken, pork chops, hamburgers, and Mexican fish tacos with salsa verde.
Buying, Storing, & Serving
Cabernet Franc should be served at room temperature. The fuller-bodied, more-structured styles, especially Bordeaux, will benefit from being poured into a decanter and allowed to breathe for up to one hour before serving.
Most Cabernet Franc is meant to be consumed within two to four years of vintage date. Blended examples from Bordeaux, however, will generally be best three to seven years from vintage.
American Cabernet Franc is meant to be consumed two to three years of vintage.
Store bottles in a cool, dark place. While it is now common for wine makers to use plastic corks or screw-tops lids which may be stored vertically or horizontally, those with the traditional corks should be laid on their sides to keep them moist.