It’s Cabernet Franc season! Time to Stock Up on This Festive Red For the Holidays
The air is getting crisper, the leaves are changing colors, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. You know what that means. It’s time to start thinking about the perfect wines to complement your holiday meals and festivities! This year, I am particularly excited about our newest offering from the DTC wine club: a lush and aromatic Cabernet Franc. That’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Cabernet Franc, Tell Me More
Cabernet Franc is one of the parent grapes of the famous Cabernet Sauvignon. Though it often plays second fiddle to its more widely known offspring, Cab Franc deserves more time in the spotlight!
With notes of raspberry, violet, pepper, and herbs, it’s an incredibly food-friendly wine that pairs well with nearly everything on your holiday table. The DTC wine club’s Cabernet Franc hails from our vineyard in California. The moderate climate and marine influence produce a bright, focused wine with ripe red fruit flavors and velvety tannins. It’s medium-bodied with a long, smooth finish—perfect for sipping by the fireplace. Serve this truly fine wine alongside your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast.
History
Cabernet Franc has a history as both a blending grape and a stand-alone varietal. Here’s an overview of the grape’s origins and history:
Origins
- Native to the Basque region of Spain and France, with records dating back to the early 17th century. It likely originated even earlier.
- Parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Franc naturally crossed with Sauvignon Blanc to produce Cabernet Sauvignon in the 17th century.
- Was widely planted in Bordeaux by the 18th century being an important blending grape in red wines.
Key Regions
- Loire Valley, France – One of Cabernet Franc’s early core regions, it makes light, perfumed wines here. The Chinon and Bourgueil appellations are renowned.
- Bordeaux, France – Used as a blending grape, especially in the Left Bank. Adds finesse and aromatics to Cabernet Sauvignon based wines.
- Northeastern Italy – Significant plantings in Friuli, Veneto and Trentino using cooler climate to advantage.
- Hungary – Major plantings in Villány and Szekszárd. Produces peppery, full bodied styles.
- California – Grown in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Paso Robles. Becoming recognized for quality single varietals.
- New York – Excellent examples from the Finger Lakes and Long Island. Known for elegance and purity of fruit.
- Canada – Notable success in Niagara Peninsula and parts of British Columbia. Bright, food-friendly wines.
- Washington State – Gained traction in the Columbia Valley in the 1990s. Known for rich, complex styles.
Cabernet Franc has centuries of history in Europe as a blending grape, but is now getting recognition worldwide as a single varietal too, especially in cooler climate regions.
The Unveiling of our Latest Label: Linda Horn
DTC Wine Club members in the Orlando area were treated to a special unveiling event of our newest limited release: Cabernet Franc Linda Horn. On October 14th, attendees joined us in downtown Orlando. This exceptional new Cab Franc was showcased for the first time. Guests were able to meet our wine connoisseurs, enjoy delicious bites, and be the first to sample this new red varietal.
Linda Horn herself got the news about her label at the exclusive launch party. It was a full house for this special introduction of our newest prized label! Those who missed out can still get their hands on bottles of this exceptional Cabernet Franc while supplies last.
Now is the ideal time to get your hands on a few bottles of this festive wine. With the holidays coming up quickly, DTC wine club members get exclusive access to pre-order the Cabernet Franc. You’ll want to stock up soon before it sells out! Once Thanksgiving rolls around, you will be thankful you have a case or two in reserve.
Looking for the perfect wine to bring to Friendsgiving or to serve during a holiday gathering?
This crowd-pleasing cab franc has you covered. Its balanced flavors and vibrant fruit make it an easy-drinking red that satisfies a wide range of palates. You can feel confident cracking open a bottle for family and friends to enjoy.
Beyond the holidays, this Cabernet wine also pairs beautifully with cozy winter meals. Braised meats, stews, roasted root vegetables, and hearty pasta dishes are all excellent matches for this medium-bodied red. Sip on a glass alongside a bowl of beef bourguignon or a slice of lasagna for a rich, flavorful experience. With a bottle on hand, prepare yourself for any cold-weather cuisine.
The Bottom Line
The DTC’s new Cabernet Franc is fantastic on its own but also incredibly food-friendly. It will elevate your holiday meals and be your go-to winter red. As a wine club member, be sure to stock up for the festive season ahead. With its aromatic notes of raspberry, violet, and herbs complemented by smooth tannins, this Cab Franc is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all winter long!
Here are a few reasons why Cabernet Franc is a great choice for the holidays:
- Festive and crowd-pleasing – With its aromas of bright red fruit, herbs, and spices, Cabernet Franc has a very holiday-friendly flavor profile. It’s complex enough to please wine lovers but also quite approachable for guests who aren’t as wine-savvy.
- Pairs with holiday meals – The medium body and food-friendly acidity of Cabernet Franc allows it to pair well with the rich meats, sauces, and sides typical at holiday gatherings. It can even stand up to stronger flavors like rosemary and thyme. It goes well with food containing pepper.
- Conversation starter – The lesser-known Cabernet Franc will get your guests talking as they try to pinpoint the wine’s distinctive raspberry, bell pepper and violet notes. It makes for a more interesting conversation than a typical Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Festive red color – The lively ruby red colors of Cabernet Franc lend a gorgeous, celebratory shade to the table or wine glass. It looks very holiday-appropriate.
- Value option – Good quality Cabernet Franc is widely available at reasonable prices. You can splurge on premium wines for just special toasts or meals.
- Lower alcohol – With alcohol levels around 12-13% on average, Cabernet Franc won’t overwhelm your palate or meal when enjoying multiple glasses at a long, relaxed holiday dinner.
So if you’re looking for the right red to bring warmth, character and conversation to your holiday table, Cabernet Franc is an excellent choice that suits the season beautifully. Give this food-friendly grape a try for your next holiday gathering!
Or… More to Choose From
In addition to our show stopping new wine, the DTC wine club offers an impressive selection of premium varietals to suit any palate. Members have access to a rich, full-bodied merlot with notes of black cherry, mocha, and spice.
An elegant Cabernet Sauvignon boasts aromas of cassis and fig with subtle oaky undertones. And for Pinot Noir lovers, we feature a complex wine under the Nile Eddy label.
Whether you prefer the boldness of a California cab or the finesse of a light, food-friendly pinot, the wine club has you covered. Be sure to stock up on several staple red wines to keep your cellar well-provisioned for holiday meals and beyond.
With DTC, you can look forward to world-class Fine Wines delivered right to your doorstep.
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FAQ
-What does Cabernet Franc taste like?
We noticed a lighter-bodied wine, vibrant red with lots of red berry fruit and fresh herbal aromas. Compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc tastes less oaky and tannic, with a lighter body and more bright red fruit notes rather than dark fruit. The herbal, spicy aromas are a key distinguishing factor.
-What types of grapes are used for the Cabernet Franc?
Cabernet Franc is a single red grape variety. The grapes are small with thin skins, resulting in wines with lighter color and less tannin compared to other red varieties.
-What can you pair Cabernet Franc with?
Cabernet Franc is a very food-friendly red wine that can be paired with a wide variety of dishes. Here are some classic food pairing options for Cabernet Franc:
- Red meats – The herbal notes in Cabernet Franc complement beef, lamb, or venison beautifully. Go for simply prepared grilled or roasted meat dishes.
- Pasta with red sauce – The bright acidity and medium body of Cabernet Franc works well with tomato-based pasta sauces. It will match lighter meat ragu sauces better than heavy cream sauces.
- Pizza – Again, the high acidity cuts through the cheese and fat, and the fruit flavors complement the tomatoes, herbs, or meat toppings.
- Vegetarian dishes – Try Cabernet Franc with mushroom risotto, eggplant parmesan, or grilled vegetables. It’s lighter profile suits vegetarian cuisine.
- Hard cheeses – The smooth tannins won’t clash with hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan or Manchego.
- Herb-crusted fish or poultry – The herbal notes in the wine match nicely with dishes crusted with rosemary, thyme etc.
- Grilled sausages or burgers – The savory, lightly smoky flavors complement char-grilled meats for a backyard BBQ.
- Roasted root vegetables or squash – The earthiness of the wine matches well with the natural sweetness of roasted veggies.
The key is to avoid overwhelming the subtlety of Cabernet Franc with dishes that are too heavy, spicy or intensely flavored. Go for simple preparations that let the wine shine through.
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