I’m back with the next installment of my Grape Deep Dive Miniseries and this time it’s all about Cabernet Franc. This grape is incredibly versatile and known for its diverse flavors and intriguing history. You may not be super familiar with Cabernet Franc but you likely know one of its offspring: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Carménère.
Cabernet Franc is that it is not without its challenges. We’ll start with the debate on where it originated. Then I’ll dive into the importance of vintage and how the weather can impact the harvest (especially in certain regions of the world), ultimately influencing the quality of the wine.
I’ll also cover what the heck those green flavors are that Cabernet Franc is known for. I’ll give you a hint, it’s a chemical compound called methozypyrazines and it can create desirable savory aromas or the not-so-great asparagus water flavor! Learn how a winemaker can avoid the bad flavors and incorporate just the good stuff through vineyard management.
Join me as we journey through vineyards and explore the different expressions of Cabernet Franc, from its early roots in the Loire Valley to its global influence today. We’ll uncover the key factors that shape the flavor profile of this grape and provide insights on what to look for when sampling Cabernet Franc wines.
And if this episode has inspired you to try a bottle of Cabernet Franc I’d love for you to head over to Instagram and let me know what you tried! (https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/)
Episode Highlights:
• The history of Cabernet Franc
• The debate over Cabernet Franc being from the French or Spanish side of Basque Country
• Where I think Cabernet Franc truly found its home
• What makes Cabernet Franc the perfect blending grape
• Where the green pepper in Cabernet Franc comes from
• Tips on navigating and appreciating the green flavors of Cabernet Franc
• How consumer preference for Cabernet Franc has evolved over time
• The four regions in the Loire Valley that you will find Cabernet Franc
• How to find Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux
• What three US states you will find Cabernet Franc in
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Email – hailey@corkandfizz.com