The Case for Cab Franc

I have never been a big Cabernet Franc drinker.
This bottle may have just changed my mind.

For years I thought that Cabernet Franc was an uninteresting red…too light, too easy drinking, too blah. It just felt like a weak Cabernet Sauvignon, without the interesting qualities of a Pinot Noir.

How wrong I was.

This Trinch! Cab Franc from Bourgueil (which is in Touraine, in the Loire Valley in France) is one of the most interesting red wines I’ve tasted in a while. It’s rustic and earthy with crunchy red fruits and a finish that goes on and on and on. It has all of the lovely graphite and green pepper notes you’ll find in a Cabernet Sauvignon, but at 12.5% ABV, you’re not drowning in alcohol. What a treat.

Yes, it’s lighter in body and tannins than a Cabernet Sauvignon, but that means it requires so much less to enjoy it. You don’t need to pair this with heavy foods or food at all. It was beautiful to sip on its own. It has structure, but not weight. It’s $32.99 on wine.com and would be awesome with a roast chicken, lamb, or a tomato-based sauce.

Chin!