Encyclopedia · Red grape

Cabernet Franc.

Loire's dominant red: green bell pepper (pyrazine), violet, and iron-inflected red fruit. Lighter and more herbal than Cabernet Sauvignon. Chalky tannin, medium weight, often cool and precise.

Structure

Acidity high · Tannin med · Alcohol med

France

Chinon

Climate Cool continental Loire. Tuffeau limestone and gravels over clay. Vienne River valley.

Style Unoaked or light oak. High acid, lean body. Pyrazine expression is explicit.

Tell Green bell pepper and violet, iron and red cherry, chalky mineral, medium tannin

Saumur-Champigny

Climate Cool continental. Tuffeau chalk soils. Slightly warmer than Chinon.

Style Mostly unoaked. Floral and precise. Slightly more fruit-forward than Chinon at its best.

Tell Red cherry and chalk, floral precision, tobacco leaf, lean mineral, fine tannin

Train your palate

Pour Taste is our interactive trainer — flashcards, tells, and blind flights for every grape in this encyclopedia. Open the Cabernet Franc flashcard →

Already have an account?