Learn About Cabernet Franc: Grapes, Wine, Region, and Tasting Notes

One of the oldest cultivated grape varieties, cabernet franc has been an underappreciated supporting player to its bolder relative, cabernet sauvignon, for centuries. But this grape, which had personality to spare, is finally getting attention on its own for its easy-drinking structure and intriguing combination of fruity, vegetal, and earthy flavors.

What Is Cabernet Franc?

Cabernet franc (often shortened to “cab franc”) is a French red wine grape that is planted in all major wine-producing regions of the world. It is usually blended with other grapes in Bordeaux-style red wines, but cabernet franc is also made as a single-varietal wine in some regions.