Cabernet Franc: Articles on the Cabernet Franc Red Wine Grape Varietal

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Campo al Mare Bolgheri 2007 - IntoWineTV Episode 112

"Super Tuscans". Host Lisa Kolenda and wine experts Bartholomew Broadbent, Cezar Kusik, and Rob Renteria taste and discuss Campo al Mare Bolgheri 2007.

Rosé du Loire? Mais oui! Cabernet Franc’s Lighter Shade

The Bay Area is experiencing an unseasonable hot spell.  And here, like most places suffering under the unrelenting rays of our nearest star, rosé is king. 

But not just any rosé.  Survey the bottles of blush pinch-hitting for rouge in wine enthusiasts’ lineups these days, and you’ll find a predominance of wine from Southern France.  And rightly so – no region does rosé better than the appellations bordering the sun-lit Cote d’Azur.  But Provence is not the only show in town.  Other regions, not only in France but also in Spain, Germany, and Italy, produce delightful examples of warm weather’s red-substitute. 

William Harrison Vineyards and Winery

Locations

1443 Silverado Trail
St. Helena, CA, 94574
United States
38° 29' 33.9684" N, 122° 25' 4.7352" W
See map: Google Maps
1443 Silverado Trail
St. Helena, CA, 94574
United States
38° 29' 33.9684" N, 122° 25' 4.7352" W
See map: Google Maps
The Vibe: 

You don’t see many log cabins in Napa Wine country, and you certainly don’t see many stuffed bears or boar heads, but that’s only because you haven’t visited the William Harrison tasting room. The general store feel of this lesser-known family owned winery sports a relaxed and casual vibe. While the owner sprouts from an Italian winemaking family, the tasting counter feels homegrown American. Try the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Cabernet Franc, and ask the tasting room guy if he has time to give you a tour.

Particularly good if you are seeking: 
  • Small to medium sized groups
  • Old West enthusiasts
  • Napa History buffs
  • Italian wine-history fans
Not good for: 
  • Large groups
  • Buses/limos
  • Events
  • Weddings
  • Shoppers
Known For: 
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Pictures: 
Phone Number: 
1 707-963-8310

Peju Province Winery

Locations

8466 St. Helena Hwy
Rutherford, CA, 94573
United States
38° 27' 14.0436" N, 122° 25' 5.6568" W
See map: Google Maps
8466 St. Helena Hwy
Rutherford, CA, 94573
United States
38° 27' 14.0436" N, 122° 25' 5.6568" W
See map: Google Maps
The Vibe: 

Visitors to the Peju tasting room enjoy several unique experiences. They are walked through a systematic tasting, with an attendee carefully pouring and explaining as they go, while not being distracted by newcomers. If they wander into the newest wing of the tasting space, they can marvel at the exquisite quartzite floors that reportedly echo the owner’s impression of a stone Persian rug. Owner Tony Peju, originally of Iran, and his Austrian born wife, founded the winery in the mid-1980s after years of running a successful high end landscaping business. Their devotion to fine art, sculpture, and gardens is apparent as soon as one enters the drive, as the carefully pruned Sycamore trees beckon you in. Lush gardens and an antique stained glass window, coupled with their open-late reputation (unlike many of their neighbors, Peju’s doors are open until 6pm) no doubt help make this one of the most profitable tasting rooms in Napa.

Particularly good if you are seeking: 
  • Art Enthusiasts (stained glass, sculpture)
  • Garden Enthusiasts
  • Groups (no buses though)
  • People looking to taste after 4:30
  • Private tours and tastings
  • Private or Corporate Events (up to about 135 people)
Not good for: 
  • Weddings
  • Picnics
  • Those in a hurry (guests may need to wait for a tasting spot during busy periods)
Known For: 
Provence (red and white blend, Cab Franc, Fifty / Fifty (Merlot/Cab blend)
Pictures: 
Willow Creek
Phone Number: 
1 800-446-7358

Borgueil: The Unpronounceable, Unforgettable King of Cabernet Franc

When I think of wine that is interesting, unique, obscure, high-value, and small-production, I think of Borgueil – the small wine region in France’s Loire Valley that produces almost exclusively Cabernet Franc.

Life is Like a Mixed Case of Loire Cabernet Franc (or, A Wild Night at Solano Cellars)

If you’re looking for a wild night, grab a few bottles of Loire Cabernet Franc, call a couple of friends, and swing by your local wine shop. I kid you not. My wife and I did this very thing yesterday evening, and it proved to be one crazy ride.

For the normal among us – those who prefer to spend their evenings at the theater, clubs, house parties, or sporting events – a Cabernet Franc tasting may not sound terribly entertaining.

Cabernet Franc: Talking with John Skupny of Lang & Reed

These days, whenever I mention that I picked up a bottle of Cabernet Franc during one of my tasting trips, I always get a knowing nod of approval from my fellow wine enthusiasts. Cabernet Franc is definitely gaining attention among American consumers, and it has slowly begun to emerge as more than just a mere blending grape for Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ve pondered Cabernet Franc’s recent rise in popularity, and have developed a theory regarding the varietal’s growing niche within the American market: Over the past 30 years, U.S. consumers have come to accept Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as two of the standards among fine red wine.

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