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:

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

Cabernet Franc Wine with chicken/poultry:

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

Cabernet Franc Wine with ethnic dishes:

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

Cabernet Franc Wine with game:

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

Cabernet Franc Wine with goat:

     • goat

Cabernet Franc Wine with pasta:

     • lasagna

Cabernet Franc Wine with pizza:

     • pizza: cheese
     • pizza: pepperoni/meat

Cabernet Franc Wine with pork:

     • ham
     • pork

Cabernet Franc Wine with sauces, spices, herbs:

     • rosemary
     • sauce: mint

Cabernet Franc Wine with vegetables & salads:

     • asparagus