WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

It is time, once again, for the Wonderful Words of Wisdom that is the Carpe Vinum Newsletter and Friday Flights Announcement! This week we’re tasting a grape varietal that is quickly approaching the ranks of my favorites: Cabernet Franc!

“What is a Cabernet Franc?”, you may ask.

“Well,” I may respond, “It’s a grape!” I may continue. . .

Cabernet Franc is a grape famous in the French Bordeaux and a star player in the blends of that region. These Bordeaux blends are usually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Carmenere and Petit Verdot. Sure, it may seem to be less of a substantial role in blends featuring so many grape varieties, but consider the fact that Cabernet Franc is one of the parent grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon. That’s something I learned this week: Cabernet Sauvignon is actually a hybrid of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. And by the name, that actually makes sense!

Cabernet Franc is also the dominant grape in the French Loire, appearing in Chinon, Bourgueil, Anjou, and virtually in some part of all other Loire reds. It is also an important grape in Northeast Italy, as well as many New World locations. It tends to do better in cooler climates than its Cabernet Sauvignon offspring, and I’ve seen it popping up in the Northwest and even New Zealand. Furthermore, it is the most important grape in Northeast vineyards, such as in the Finger Lakes region in New York. After extensive searching for these New York wines, I’ve only found one of them: MD 20/20. Alas, although it may be delicious, it’s not a Cabernet Franc so it won’t fit into this tasting.

What is the flavor of Cabernet Franc? It’s a medium to full-bodied red that can have the floral qualities of violets. Sometimes it has the spicy qualities of chili peppers (the flavor qualities of the peppers, not the “Oh my God my head is on fire” type qualities.) Fruit-wise it can have flavors of strawberries, raspberries, plums and cherries. Some people have described earthier qualities as “shoe leather” which, although I’ve never been desperate enough to necessitate eating my shoes, I imagine Cabernet Franc would be a suitable food/wine pairing for that.

So the lineup this week is an excellent cross-section of Cabernet Franc single-varietal wines from around the world, touching on all the major regions that grow it. . .at least all the ones I could find. (If there are any other wines from New York available, other than the “MadDog”, I have not yet seen them in the Northwest. Not that we have a shortage of wine out here, or anything.) So here’s some stellar wines from the French Loire, Italy’s Friuli, Washington and California!

So Friday, October 14th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Cabernet Franc!
Writer’s Block 2002 Cabernet Franc, Lake County,California
Chinook 2003 Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley, Washington
Thierry Germain 2003 Roches Neuves, Saumur Champigny, France
Chanteleuserie 2001 Cuvee Vielle Vignes, Bourgueil, France
Girolamo Dorigo 2002 Cabernet Franc, Friuli, Italy

More Cabernet Franc!!
Lang & Reed 2003 Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, California
Zerba Cellars 2003 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, Washington

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, and $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting is The French Rhone!

M