Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is usually used as the higher acid, lower tannin blending grape in Bordeaux-style blends. However, Americans do produce lovely, varietally labeled Cabernet Francs from Sonoma, Long Island and the Napa Valley that are stylistically reminiscent of the wines of Chinon (a red wine appellation in the Loire Valley) and St. Emilion. Cabernet Franc is purple in color, with violets and raspberries in the nose, bright berry fruit, green pepper and a leafy, tobacco-like wood shavings undertone.