If we love our wine, we will undoubtedly be drinking wines made from the ‘Super Grapes’ of the world; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Sauvignon, Reisling etc. etc.
Cabernet Franc (until more recent times) has generally been a grape that has been used to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to make Claret or Bordeaux blend wines. It's used in this way to add complexity, perfume and herbaceous notes to the wine. There is also often potential for notable minerality within the wines.
The long-standing exception to this blending would be in the Loire, specifically Chinon and Bourgueil, where they have been making gorgeous single variety Cabernet Franc wines for very many years. They are generally absolutely delicious and can be very classy indeed.
Cabernet Franc is grown in various parts of the world. More recently it has captured the imagination of winemakers in Argentina. The resulting wines have been exceptionally good, especially where altitude can help to cool the grapes sufficiently throughout the ripening process and preserve good levels of acidity giving balance to the wine. South-Africa has also joined the party and is again making exceptional examples from around the coastal areas where the Atlantic ocean provides the cooling.
If you are looking to try a new red wine then I commend you to give a single variety Cabernet Franc a go. Whether it's from the Loire, Argentina or South Africa (not ignoring California, Australia & New Zealand).
Needless to say (!) we have some wonderful examples in The Wine Rooms in Chew Magna.
Couly Dutheil Les Gravierres CHINON 2018 – lovely Loire example (£14.00)
St Nicholas Du Borgeueil 2018 – a more prestigious version of Loire Cabernet Franc (£16.00)
Walter Bressia Monteagrelo Uco Valley Cabernet Franc 2020 – refined elegance from Argentina (£20.00)
Zuccardi Apelacion Paraje Altimira Cabernet Franc 2020 – award winning from one of the worlds best producers (£20.00) again from Uco Valley, Mendoza
Waterkloof Circumstance Cabernet Franc 2019 – owned and managed by Paul Boutinot himself. This wine is 100% organic and Biodynamically made. From the False Bay area of South Africa.