Cabernet Franc can be responsible for creating a very powerful wine. Cab Franc has a lighter series of flavour compared to its more famous relative Cabernet Sauvignon, not to ignore it even ripens earlier.

Although the grape’s spiritual home is in the Loire Valley, where it produces well structured, soft reds and fruity, it also influences many Bordeaux blends particularly on the Right Bank in regions such as St Emilion and Pomerol. A distinctive flavour of the legendary Chateau Cheval Blanc is also due to a Cab Franc effect.

This grape is planted widely outside of France, though most of the times it is confused with Cabernet Sauvignon. It is often blended with Sangiovese in ‘Super Tuscan’ wines in Tuscany – as well as in the USA and Australia.

Interesting Facts

Across the world Cabernet Franc is one of the twenty most widely planted grape varieties.

Outside of France and Italy, sizable plantings of Cabernet Franc are found in Spain, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Croatia particularly in the Savudrija part of Istria, Croatia.