Cabernet Franc is one of Bordeaux’s blending grapes and a parent grape to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In France it is mainly grown in Libournais (Bordeaux’s Right Bank) and is blended with Merlot in well known villages like Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. As a varietal wine it is primarily produced in the Loire Valley in Chinon and Bourgueil.

Outside of France, Cabernet Franc is also found in Italy especially in Friuli, Veneto and Tuscany. In Tuscany it is part of the “Super Tuscan” blend in one of the best wines in the world – Sassicaia – which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Sassicaia is an estate with history and one of the first one to produce “Super Tuscans”. It is located around the region of Bolgheri and has only recently gained its DOC name.

Cabernet Franc is also grown in Hungary, Canada, USA, Argentina and New Zealand.

Cabernet Franc has small grapes with thin skins which ripen around a week earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon and produces wines that are lighter in body, more supple and less acidic than Cabernet Sauvignon. One of its specific characteristics is the bell pepper notes which are present in a Cabernet Franc. Depending on the soil, the wines can have quite different taste profiles ranging from lighter to full body wines.

Cabernet Franc Regions

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