The sun shines on ripe Bordeaux Cabernet Franc fruit
Monday 4th December is global Cabernet Franc day – aka #CabFrancDay on the social media circuit. This is the day that Cabernet Franc lovers celebrate one of the world’s greatest wine grape varieties. In the words of legendary Master of Wine and famous wine writer Jancis Robinson, “Cabernet Franc is a variety of the future, combining the strength and sinew of Bordeaux with the subtlety, suppleness and aromatic finesse expected of Burgundy.” So as we raise a glass of beautiful CabFranc, here are five fast facts about this grape variety…
- Cabernet Franc is ranked number 17 in the world in terms of area planted in this variety. In 1990, it was a lowly 32!
- Cabernet Franc vine plantings cover some 54,000 hectares (less than 40,000 back in 1990), up 35% in twenty years and still growing!
- The largest producing country is France with about 65% of the total CabFranc plantings. Second largest is Italy with about one sixth of France’s total surface and next comes the USA with just over a thousand hectares.
- The largest single producing region / sub region on the planet is Bordeaux with +/- 12,500 hectares. Data is hard to come but the Loire Valley might mount a counter claim to that title if they add all of their acreage up over several sub regions. It is interesting to note that for all that volume of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux, that region has less than ten varietal Cabernet Franc producers, with the majority of the beautiful juice being combined into Bordeaux’s famous blends.
- Cabernet Franc is a parent to the grape varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.
Commented David Stannard Owner of Bordeaux varietal Cabernet Franc producer Paradise Rescued: “Cabernet Franc is a grape variety to really seriously watch. In a similar way that we have seen Pinot Not take off, I predict CabFranc will go the same way. Why? Quite simply, because it goes brilliantly with food, it’s generally less alcoholic and it is simply so full of different tantalising tastes that reflect its origin. Go try a bottle for Cabernet Franc Day today!”
Paradise Rescued B1ockOne and Cloud9 Cabernet Franc
David goes on to say “I would like to thank Lori Hoyt Budd at Paso Robles producer Dracaena Wines for leading the organisation of this wine holiday and to Gyula Weeber for his coordination of the Taiwan Cabernet Franc Exhibition Tasting.” Our thanks also go to Prof. Kym Anderson, Adelaide University for her stand-out leading global study work “Which Winegrape Varieties are Grown Where” and whose figures we have used in this blog.
Paradise Rescued is a leading Bordeaux varietal Cabernet Franc producer and promoter with their B1ockOne and Cloud9 brands available in the USA and Australia… and very soon from the cellar door if France and across Europe.
Paradise Rescued is the 2016 International Business Award Silver Stevie winner for Small Budget Marketing Campaign.
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