What grapes make Cabernet Franc?
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone, as in the Loire’s Chinon.
Is Cabernet Franc a grape variety?
Cabernet franc (often shortened to “cab franc”) is a French red wine grape that is planted in all major wine-producing regions of the world. It is usually blended with other grapes in Bordeaux-style red wines, but cabernet franc is also made as a single-varietal wine in some regions.
Where do Cabernet Franc grapes grow the best?
Cabernet Franc is one of the best red vinifera varieties for the Ohio River Valley and Great Lakes Region. It is cold hardy enough for good sites and ripens dependably in most years. In more southerly areas with warmer growing seasons, it tends to lack color and may not be the best choice.
What’s the difference between a Cabernet Franc and a Cabernet Sauvignon?
What is the difference between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc? Cabernet Franc is a lighter wine in comparison to Cabernet Sauvignon. It has lower tannin, acidity, and thinner skin, which contributes to the lighter color.
How long does it take to age a cab franc?
While most are recommended to be enjoyed within 5 years, there are many high quality Cabernet Franc wines coming from the Loire Valley in France that have been known to age wonderfully for about 10–15 years.
Does red wine need to be refrigerated after opening?
While it’s common knowledge that red wine should be enjoyed at room temperature, red wine should still be refrigerated after it’s been opened. A wine fridge is a great option, too. It’ll keep your wine cool enough to slow oxidation, but not as cold as a standard refrigerator.
Does a wine aerator actually do anything?
Aerating wine — especially but not exclusively red wine — helps begin that same process of softening tannins and rounding out texture. At the very least, it refreshes the wine and perks it up. It makes simple sense: The wine has been locked up in that bottle for some time, at least a year, generally more.