Chinon Wine Makers Fair

Do you know Cabernet Franc ?

I mean do you REALLY know Cabernet Franc ?

The only true way to discover this unusual varietal in its depths and idiosyncrasies is to taste it in a wine from the Loire Valley.
Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil and Chinon are areas that usually produce 100% Cabernet Franc wines and take pride in the specificity of this unusual varietal.


Last week I was in Touraine, one of France's loveliest region, and got to go to Chinon's annual wine festival.
All local winemakers displayed their 2009 vintage and I had the joy of discovering new estates.





Cabernet Franc finds its perfection in Touraine wines.
Here there are two main terroirs: first, those close to the Vienne River which give out tender and fruity wines, easy to enjoy in their young age. Second, terroir from the hillside of Chinon or Bourgueil where the ground is chalky and sandy. These wines have more depth and can flourish with the years.

Yet the trouble with Cabernet Franc is that it is fragile. It may indeed suffer from the lack of sun ; when this happens the wine gives off a characteristic aroma of green pepper that can be a little overwhelming... (to put it in a nice way)

However some of the wines I tasted at the wine festival really blew me away and are the epitome of what great Cabernet Franc can produce.

Here is are a few examples of my personal favorites. Try having a piece of Goat cheese from Saint Maure de Touraine, grilled salmon or roasted poultry with them. It's a perfect match !

Domaine Frédéric Mabileau, 2008, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil which I discovered at this fair particularly caught my eye:





its very intense nose smacks of fruits with raspberry and fresh black current. Then you may find violet or even licorice to finally end with the typical (yet delicate) note of green pepper.





The tannins were soft, supple for a such a young vintage (2008) and the wine shows a very good balance. Definitely a keeper !


If you enjoy Cabernet Franc here are other estates that are really worth a try.
Yannick Amirault
Domaine de la Cotelleraie
Charles Joguet
Chateau de la Grille (by Baudry, Dutour)




And don't forget the best way to enjoy these fantastic wines is to come and taste them in Touraine !