November: Cab Franc for Wine Focus!

[Robin Garr]

Since this thread is already working, let's just make it the monthly topic! Bring on your Cab Franc notes from all over the world, and as a subtext, Cab Franc lovers, (TROLL ALERT!) try to make the case that this variety deserves single varietal status beyond its traditional role in Bordeaux as a blending grape.

Cabernet Franc? (incl. Cab Franc heavy blends)

What Salil said.

[David M. Bueker]

It's a little off beat, but not too much. I like it.

Plus Cab Franc is pretty versatile with the Thanksgiving meal.

I recently had a Nissley (PA) Cab Franc that I thought was mediocre on day one but really opened up the next day - it was fantastic. So, I'm anxious to try some Francs.

It's a little off beat, but not too much. I like it.

Plus Cab Franc is pretty versatile with the Thanksgiving meal.

Baudry mag?

It's a little off beat, but not too much. I like it.

Plus Cab Franc is pretty versatile with the Thanksgiving meal.

Baudry mag?

That's certainly something to be thankful for, Salil!

Mark Lipton

Excuse me but I thought we had chatted about S Italy for November?

Excuse me but I thought we had chatted about S Italy for November?

We did. But I would never object to doing Cabernet franc. Southern Italy certainly deserves a whirl sometime and a cold month would be suitable for these mostly gutsy wines.

[Robin Garr]

Excuse me but I thought we had chatted about S Italy for November?

We did. But I would never object to doing Cabernet franc. Southern Italy certainly deserves a whirl sometime and a cold month would be suitable for these mostly gutsy wines.

Yeah, the tide is clearly flowing for Cabernet Franc. So much so that I'm inclined to make it so. "Ping!"

We can certainly keep the Mezzogiorno on the list for another winter month, though. And while we wait, here's a wine-geek question I had never thought of before: Where would you draw the line in dividing Southern Italian wines from those of the North? The traditional definition of the Mezzogiorno includes Abruzzo and Molise along with the more usual suspects of the toe and heel, but I tend to lump the wines and food of Abruzzo in with its northern neighbors. What say you experts?

Excuse me but I thought we had chatted about S Italy for November?

We did. But I would never object to doing Cabernet franc. Southern Italy certainly deserves a whirl sometime and a cold month would be suitable for these mostly gutsy wines.

Yeah, the tide is clearly flowing for Cabernet Franc. So much so that I'm inclined to make it so. "Ping!"

We can certainly keep the Mezzogiorno on the list for another winter month, though. And while we wait, here's a wine-geek question I had never thought of before: Where would you draw the line in dividing Southern Italian wines from those of the North? The traditional definition of the Mezzogiorno includes Abruzzo and Molise along with the more usual suspects of the toe and heel, but I tend to lump the wines and food of Abruzzo in with its northern neighbors. What say you experts?

I agree. I think that the Abruzzo wines have a more central Italian character. FWIW my favourite Italian supplier, whose tasting I couldn't attend today , includes them in central Italy.

We have three different Cab Francs in the rack, but some from Abruzzo too. Take your pick.

Great. Finally I have a wine in the bullpen that totally fits this month's theme.

Chinon and Bourgueil, come to papa!

Yup, true Loire-heads should be happy this month. I`m ready naturally.

there are also plenty of CF's from MI, NY, ON and VA.

there are also plenty of CF's from MI, NY, ON and VA.

As well as NC and we have one, as well as from NY and CA. Need to find some from Loire.

Cabernet franc sounds good. I have one from NJ and some Loires.

I was wondering if you would be open to the idea of honoring Rogov by designating Israeli wines as the wine focus of the month. I acknowledge that Israeli wines, given their current state do not deserve that designation on their own, but it would be a nice gesture in Rogov's honor, and I can only speculate how many more decades will pass before Israeli wines would earn the spot outright.

Cheers,
-> Pinchas

I was wondering if you would be open to the idea of honoring Rogov by designating Israeli wines as the wine focus of the month. I acknowledge that Israeli wines, given their current state do not deserve that designation on their own, but it would be a nice gesture in Rogov's honor, and I can only speculate how many more decades will pass before Israeli wines would earn the spot outright.

Cheers,
-> Pinchas

Very nice idea, but how many of us have access to such wines? May I make a suggestion Pinchas? Start an Open Mike: Israeli Wines thread and we can all post thoughts and tastings there.
I myself have started many Open Mikes and most have had great response. Open Mike: Douro ran to six pages I believe.

Bob Alberta.

[Robin Garr]

Very nice idea, but how many of us have access to such wines? May I make a suggestion Pinchas? Start an Open Mike: Israeli Wines thread and we can all post thoughts and tastings there.
I myself have started many Open Mikes and most have had great response. Open Mike: Douro ran to six pages I believe.

Excellent, Bob! I love the idea of an Israeli wine retrospective, but indeed, the wines are just a little too difficult to find in many parts of the world to sustain a 30-day Wine Focus. I think an Open Mike discussion would generate lots of interest, though.

[James Roscoe]

There ought to be a way to honor Rogov for a month without resorting to Israeli wines. Put your thinking caps on folks!!!!

When I think Cab Franc, I think Chinon! Here is a very good video.....>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNt82EOfwUo

When I think Cab Franc, I think Chinon! Here is a very good video.....>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNt82EOfwUo

Love those old guys at the end chugging those huge glasses of Cab Franc!