Ontario’s finest red? Well, okay that’s a matter of opinion. But the backbone of Ontario’s red wine industry is Cabernet Franc. And we do produce some mighty fine Cab Franc wines in the province.
In fact, Cabernet Franc is first among red grape varieties for VQA wines – accounting for 12% of production by volume, just after Riesling (15%) and Chardonnay (12.7%). In 2017-2018, Ontario wineries produced 26,545,887 litres of still/table wine (53% white and 47% red); Cab Franc represented 1,129,665 litres or 125, 518 cases (9L).
Cab Franc berries are small and blue-black in colour
So why do Ontario wineries rely so heavily on this red grape variety? It’s all about climate adaptability & versatility.
- it buds and ripens early (so great for the shorter Ontario growing season)
- it adapts easily to a variety of soils (sandy and chalk soils produce a fuller bodied wine)
- it can be fermented and aged in stainless steel, concrete, oak etc.
Originating in the Basque country of the Western Pyrenees (straddling the border of France and Spain … but in terms of climate think cool, damp and windy), Cabernet Franc is now planted internationally in a variety of climates. It is a parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carménère.
Alas, its offspring are bolder and better known wine varietals, but Cab Franc …
- is aromatic, herbal/vegetal, earthy, subtle
- is medium bodied
- has silky texture
- has soft tannins
- has flavours of strawberry/raspberry, bell pepper, crushed gravel/pencil shavings, chili pepper/spice
- has medium-high acidity to cleanse your palate (and pairs well with vinegar & tomato based sauces)
- responds well to being chilled (16 -18 degrees Celsius) – a refreshing red wine in the summer
- is very food friendly/versatile pairing well with fresh herbs, soft and semi-soft cheeses, chicken, pork, burgers, and lamb
- is easy to drink
In France and in North America, Cab Franc is often used as a blending partner with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for Bordeaux and Meritage blends.
But this wine can stand on its own. Depending on soil and climate, Cab Franc wines can be quite diverse.
In cooler climates, Cab Franc offers tart fruit flavours like sour cherry, with smoky tomato, sweet pepper and oregano (Ontario, Loire Valley – e.g., Chinon, Bourgueil); but in warmer climates Cab Franc offers sweet strawberries and dried fruit flavours (Sierra Foothills, California – Ironstone Vineyards). If oak aged, aromas of bright red berry fruits mixed with a light spice and a hint of fresh herbs lead to flavours of red cherry and raspberry with vanilla-oak undertones.
Both Chile and Argentina produce excellent examples of Cab Franc wines especially from higher altitudes. Languedoc-Rousillon also produces some lovely single varietal Cab Franc wines which are reasonably priced.
Some highly prized wines from Bordeaux’s right bank blend Cab Franc with Merlot (Château Cheval Blanc, Château Ausone). Likewise, some Super Tuscans are well known Cab Franc wines (e.g., Lodovico Tenuta di Biserno, Scipio Tenuta Sette Cieli).
So why not do a comparative, international tasting of Cabernet Franc wines … and don’t forget to include a few bottles from Ontario!
Did you know that Cab Franc is one of Frogpond Farm Organic Winery’s best selling red wines? We offer it as a single varietal and as a blend – Cabernet Merlot
Frog Blog ~ The Math in Wine
