Cabernet Franc spends much of its life in a supporting role in Bordeaux, but in the Loire Valley it takes the lead. It makes fragrant, medium-bodied reds that are fresher and lighter than most Bordeaux. It suits anyone who likes reds with lift and perfume, and it’s a perfect match for a château weekend.
What it tastes like
Cabernet Franc smells of red berries, raspberry and violet, often with a savoury touch of red pepper, pencil shavings or graphite. The body is medium, the acidity bright and the tannins finer than Cabernet Sauvignon’s. Some people find the green-pepper note too strong in cool years. In good vintages, it gives the wine a fresh, herbal edge that keeps it lively.
Cabernet Franc is also a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. It crossed naturally with Sauvignon Blanc centuries ago to produce Bordeaux’s most famous grape.
Where it grows in Europe
The Loire Valley, France
This is Cabernet Franc’s solo stage. The central Loire, around Tours and Saumur, makes its most famous varietal reds.
- Chinon: the best known, with styles ranging from light and juicy to deep and age-worthy.
- Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil: across the river from Chinon, often a little firmer.
- Saumur-Champigny: bright, fruity reds from chalky tuffeau soil, the same stone used to build the Loire châteaux.
Cabernet Franc also goes into Loire rosés, including Cabernet d’Anjou.
Bordeaux, France
Cabernet Franc accounts for a small share of Bordeaux’s red vines, roughly 8% according to the Bordeaux wine council. It adds perfume and freshness to blends. On the right bank in Saint-Émilion, it plays a bigger part, and some of the region’s most famous châteaux use a large share of it.
Elsewhere in Europe
North-east Italy grows it in Friuli and the Veneto. Tuscany uses it in some coastal blends. Hungary, particularly Villány, makes structured examples.
How to choose a bottle
Loire labels name the place, not the grape, so look for Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil or Saumur-Champigny. Wines from sandy, gravelly soil near the river tend to be lighter and fruitier, made to drink within a few years. Those from limestone and clay slopes are deeper and can age for a decade or more. A warm vintage softens the herbal note, which makes it a good place to start if you’re new to the grape.
What to eat with it
- Rillettes and charcuterie: a Loire picnic classic.
- Roast pork or chicken: the fresh acidity balances the meat.
- Grilled vegetables and tomato dishes: a natural fit for the herbal note.
- Goat’s cheese: the Loire pairs it with red as well as white.
Tip: Light Loire Cabernet Franc is great served slightly chilled on a warm day.
Where to taste it on a weekend
Base yourself in Tours or Saumur. Tours has fast trains from Paris and is the gateway to the central Loire. Chinon and Saumur are both a short drive away.
- Day 1: Spend the morning in Chinon, a medieval town under a hilltop fortress on the River Vienne. Taste in local cellars cut into the soft tuffeau rock.
- Day 2: Drive to Saumur, with its château over the Loire, and taste Saumur-Champigny. Fit in a château visit on the way, such as Azay-le-Rideau or Villandry.
The Loire is also excellent cycling country, and the Loire à Vélo route follows the river. Book tastings ahead where you can.
Tip: Many Loire cellars are in caves carved into the rock. Bring a layer, as they stay cool even in summer.
For more on the blends Cabernet Franc goes into, read Bordeaux: the wine and the region. Browse the best wine regions in Europe, and add castle stops from the best castles in Europe. Plan your Paris leg with things to do in Paris.
FAQ
Is Cabernet Franc the same as Cabernet Sauvignon?
No. Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents. It’s lighter, more perfumed and less tannic.
What does Chinon wine taste like?
Chinon red is Cabernet Franc with raspberry, violet and a herbal edge. Young versions are juicy, and older ones turn earthy and complex.
Can you chill Cabernet Franc?
Lighter Loire styles are lovely slightly chilled. Fuller, oaked versions are better at cellar temperature.
Where does the best Cabernet Franc come from?
The Loire Valley, especially Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny, and some top estates in Saint-Émilion.
