Cabernet Franc Wine Pairing

Cabernet Franc is one of the five grapes in Bordeaux blends, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Cabernet Franc, along with Sauvignon Blanc, is actually one of the genetic parents of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc, a thin-skinned, early-ripening grape, has lighter body and acidity than the robust Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is more susceptible to spring frosts.

Cabernet Franc makes up the most vineyard acreage in France and in the world. Several regions have more plantings than others, such as St.Emilion, the Loire Valley's Chinon (where it's called Breton) and southwest France (where it's called Bouchy). Romania, Hungary, the Balkans, and the Friuli region of north eastern Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Long Island, New York, southeast Napa Valley, California and Washington State all grow this wine. Cabernet Franc is rarely bottled as a stand-alone varietal.

Cabernet Franc, a medium-bodied, ruby red wine has the signature aromas of Cabernet Franc which tend to be herbaceous or vegetative, like green bell peppers or stems, especially when the grape hasn't ripened sufficiently or is over-cropped. Other notes include allspice, dark plums, violets, raspberry, black cherry, red currant, vanilla, coconut, smoke, toast, tar, mushroom, earth, cedar and cigar box. Cabernet Franc pairs well with these foods:

Cabernet Franc Wine with beef:

     • hamburgers, meatloaf
     • hamburgers: grilled

Cabernet Franc Wine with cheese:

     • jack: dill
     • jack: garlic dill
     • cheddar: tomato basil
     • cheddar: smoked
     • cheddar: mild
     • cheddar: medium
     • cheddar: sharp: 1 year - 4 years
     • cheddar: sharp: 5 years - 12 years
     • sweet constantine
     • swiss: aged: 1 year
     • swiss: aged: 2 years & 3 years
     • blue: paradise
     • gorgonzola
     • blue cheese
     • goat cheese
     • cheese: mild
     • parmesan
     • Romans Part Dieu
     • Coeur de Chevre
     • Mothais sur Feuille
     • Ardi-Gasna
     • Selles sur Cher

Cabernet Franc Wine with chicken/poultry:

     • poultry or game: roast or casseroles
     • chicken
     • cornish game hen
     • duck
     • partridge

Cabernet Franc Wine with ethnic dishes:

     • curries: lightly spiced
     • noodles: Asian styled
     • taramasalata
     • babaganoush
     • pizza

Cabernet Franc Wine with game:

     • game birds
     • game terrine
     • rich meat & game casseroles
     • meat & game: grilled
     • game: roast

Cabernet Franc Wine with goat:

     • goat

Cabernet Franc Wine with pasta:

     • lasagna

Cabernet Franc Wine with pizza:

     • pizza: pepperoni/meat
     • pizza: cheese

Cabernet Franc Wine with pork:

     • ham
     • pork

Cabernet Franc Wine with sauces, spices, herbs:

     • sauce: mint
     • rosemary

Cabernet Franc Wine with vegetables & salads:

     • asparagus