Wines made from Cabernet franc grapes of Ile de Beaute
Discover the best wines made with Cabernet franc as a single variety or as a blend of Ile de Beaute.
Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest red grape varieties in Bordeaux. The Libourne region is its terroir where it develops best. The terroirs of Saint-Emilion and Fronsac allow it to mature and develop its best range of aromas. It is also the majority in many blends. The very famous Château Cheval Blanc, for example, uses 60% Cabernet Franc. The wines produced with Cabernet Franc are medium in colour with fine tannins and subtle aromas of small red fruits and spices. When blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings complexity and a bouquet of aromas to the wine. It produces fruity wines that can be drunk quite quickly, but whose great vintages can be kept for a long time. It is an earlier grape variety than Cabernet Sauvignon, which means that it is planted as far north as the Loire Valley. In Anjou, it is also used to make sweet rosé wines. Cabernet Franc is now used in some twenty countries in Europe and throughout the world.
Ile de Beauté is the evocative PGI title given to wines that come from Corsica. The island is located in the Mediterranean Sea between the southeast coast of Provence and the west coast of Tuscany. Although the island is closer to Italy, it has been under French rule since 1764 and is one of the 27 regions of France. Corsica's Italian heritage is reflected in the island's wines, which are made primarily from Sangiovese (known here as Nielluccio) and Vermentino.
Vacqueyras Vacqueyras is low-lying and mostly flat, and it was hit hard by the frost in 2021. Yields were down around 25%. Vineyards on slopes and near woodland were more likely to be spared, and those that were lucky went on to make precise, fresh, well-balanced reds. Most, however, are light and drinkable, destined to be drunk young. White varieties largely avoided the frost, and the quality is excellent – concentrated wines with impact, acidity and great balance. Scroll down to see tasting no ...
In the produce aisle of most US supermarkets, choices are clear: the organic section is to the right, or at the very least, organic items are identified on packaging or shelf-talkers. Shoppers willing to pay a few cents more per pound for broccoli grown without synthetic chemicals know where to reach. In the wine aisle? Not so much. There’s more than a bit of confusion, to date at least, with little-understood labels announcing wines are certified sustainable or made from organic grapes. Scroll ...
Claude took over Champagne Taittinger, which was founded by his father Pierre Taittinger in 1932, in 1960 following the death of his brother, François. He served first as managing director and then president of the company until 2005. During his tenure, he grew Champagne Taittinger from a niche label into a brand with international scale. Moreover, as one of the pioneers of the broader Champagne category’s international success during the 20th century, Claude has been credited with taking France ...