One of the great perks of studying for the CSW exam is the 16 weeks of wine that we will study. I thought it would be a lot of fun to share these weekly tastings with you as a non professional wine lover. Let’s find out what makes these wines amazing!
Week 1 was a not only a fantastic introduction to wine studies , but we began our journey with Chinon, Cabernet Franc, from the Loire Valley. Pronounced she-known.
Highly prized in the Loire Valley for its medium tannins and smooth mouth feel, Cab Franc has aromas of red fruit, berries, perfume, and spice. Those are the pro's notes. Let's see what we think of this wine!
I selected Chinon Le Verre en Vignon 2019 vintage. This wine was lower end on the price scale. Was it a bargain or bust!
According to a note on www.empirewine.com, "This is a classic Tuesday night Chinon. Dark spicy, peppery, olivey and slightly cedary nose. Juicy and rich on the palate, offering fresh cherry and tomato, olive, plus lively tannins and finish of graphite and pepper. For the price, it punches above its weight." For more info, check out this link! Chais St. Laurent Chinon Vigne en Veron 2018 :: Other Red Wines (empirewine.com)
Wandering Vine Notes:
This wine was a great casual red. I usually go for big bold Cabs, but really enjoyed this lighter dad of Cab. I found it to have all the fruity aromas mentioned in books and tasting notes and even a bit of mineral or earthiness. Still learning here guys...but all in all this was a great bargain wine and we both enjoyed it a lot.
Fun Facts about Cab Franc:
Dates back to the 17th century in France, with plantings primarily in the Loire and Libournais.
is the father of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cab Franc is in the top 20 of most planted varieties globally, and top 6 in France!
Cab Franc Day is Dec 4th. Mark your calendars!
This grape thrives in cool climates and is a thin skinned grape, making it lighter bodied and less tannic than Cab Sauv.
Cab Franc from the Loire Valley is known for the grape’s raspberry and graphite aspects, not often aged in oak, should be enjoyed young.
Cab Franc is a top blending partner for gorgeous Bordeaux wines, along with Merlot and Cab Sauv.
Pairings:
Pairing notes recommend spicy BBQ or dishes with tomato sauce. We paired this wine with goat cheese and popcorn. I know, slim pickings that night. The goat cheese was delicious with the wine and enhanced it quite a bit. The popcorn was a huge mistake! Note to self, save popcorn for the beer or spiked seltzer!
What do you love to pair with Cab Franc? Let us know in the comments!
Comments