European Cabernet Franc
The European origins of Cabernet Franc are in Bordeaux. It was the original Cabernet varietal, and a chance cross-pollination with Sauvignon Blanc createe the more famous Cabernet Sauvignon grape.
The majority of Cabernet Franc plantings in Bordeaux are on the cooler right bank of the Gironde in St Emilion. Chateau Cheval-Blanc makes a highly regarded Bordeaux blend that is over one-half Cabernet Franc. However, this is an exception and the grape usually makes up a much smaller percentage of these cuvees.
While it is mainly relegated to being a blending component in Bordeaux, the Loire Valley makes some great single varietal examples of European Cabernet Franc. It is believed that Cardinal Richelieu first brought the grape to the Loire during the reign of Louis XIV.
The best single varietal Cabernet Francs from the Loire are made in the Chinon region. The grape is known as “Breton” in this region. Sumptuously weighty in both texture and flavor, many of these wines will hold up to heartier fare than intuition would dictate.
Cabernet Franc has also historically been grown in the Northern Italian region of Friuili. However, weighty and velvety single varietal versions of the grape are more difficult to find from Friuli than they are from the Loire Valley. It is also planted in the Villany region of Hungary, and the Balkans.
