Yep, in case you didn’t know, Cabernet Franc had a whirlwind relationship with Sauvignon Blanc and the result was Cabernet Sauvignon. We are all thankful that this relationship occurred and gave us such a wonderful varietal, but shouldn’t we celebrate Father’s Day? 

Lori Budd, Founder of #CabFrancDay

Cab Franc Day is one of my favorite “Wine” Days. That’s because it one of my favorite Bordeaux grape varieties, and one that I generally prefer bottled on its own rather than part of a classic blend of Bordeaux grape varieties.

It celebrated annually on December 4th because that believed to be the anniversary of the death of Cardinal Richelieu who, in the 14th century, transported cuttings Cabernet Franc vines from the Libournais region in southwest France to the Loire Valley.

Today, the Loire Valley is the spiritual home of Cabernet Franc, where it is the most important red grape in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions.

But Cabernet Franc is grown all around the world including Italy, Hungary, Chile, Spain and the United States (mostly California).

Disclosure: Wine provided as a media sample. No other compensation was involved. All opinions are mine.

This year I’ve got some Cabernet Franc from North Carolina in my glass!

The 411 on North Carolina Wine

• Wine growers in North Carolina were the first to cultivate a Native American grape variety, the Scuppernong, which produces a sweet wine
• Most of the wine produced in North Carolina these days are made from Vitis vinifera grape varieties, although it wouldn’t be unusual to find wines made from French hybrid, or Vitis labrusca varieties.
• There are almost 200 wineries in North Carolina and it is a popular destination for wine and culinary tourism.
• North Carolina has 5 AVAs – Appalachian High Country, Haw River Valley, Swan Creek, Upper Hiwassee Highlands, and Yadkin Valley
• According to the World Population Review North Carolina is #12 in wine production in the United States
• Climatically, North Carolina features Mountain wineries in the west, Piedmont wineries in center and Coastal wineries in the east.
• ICYMI…May is NC Wine Month

2017 Jones von Drehle Cabernet Franc

Jones von Drehle Vineyards and Winery is family owned and operated in the small town of Thurmond, North Carolina. Chuck and Diana Jones and Ronnie and Raymond von Drehle are in-laws that had a mission to start a fine wine vineyard and winery in their home state of North Carolina. Their journey began in 2007 when they found the perfect land under the Blue Ridge Mountain skies explains its website.

Fruit for their wines are sourced exclusively from their 30 acre estate vineyard.

Tasting note: Pale ruby color with inviting red currant, raspberry, red cherry, cedar-wood, violet and pink peppercorn aromas. On the palate, it’s light-bodied, and fresh with suave well-integrated tannins and flavors that mirror its aromas 13.3% abv. Aged 40 months in French Oak.

This well made and delightful wine shows the hallmarks of classic Cabernet Franc typicity. To my taste, it’s more “Old World” in terms of its body and moderate alcohol, but show ample “New World” fruit.

Cabernet Franc is my favorite red wine to pair with vegetarian fare, but I eat what’s in front of me, and on the night we opened the wine it was Filipino-style Ribs Adobo with collard greens.

The wine paired very well with both!

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