{"id":10112,"date":"2021-12-02T14:41:43","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T18:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/?p=10112"},"modified":"2026-05-30T15:33:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T19:33:28","slug":"cabernet-franc-is-one-of-the-most-noble-wine-grapes-in-the-world-and-is-celebrated-annually-on-december-4th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/cabernet-franc-is-one-of-the-most-noble-wine-grapes-in-the-world-and-is-celebrated-annually-on-december-4th\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Wine Light \u2013 Cabernet Franc Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the Wine Light<\/a> is Cabernet Franc Day<\/a>.  <\/span>This wine holiday is celebrated annually on December 4th<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the Cab Franc Day website<\/a>, Cabernet Franc is believed to have been established in the Libournais region of southwest France sometime in the 17th<\/sup> century, when Cardinal Richelieu transported cuttings of the vine to the Loire Valley.  December 4th is the anniversary of Cardinal Richelieu\u2019s death which is why we celebrate Cab Franc Day on that date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parent Grape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cabernet Franc is also the parent grape of at least three other Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re. It is also the parent to an obscure Spanish variety known as Hondarribi Beltza found mostly in the Basque Country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plantings Around the World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to its native Basque region in France, Cab Franc is planted elsewhere in France in Bordeaux and most famously in the Loire Valley.  There are also significant plantings in the Italy, Spain, Chile, and the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabernet Franc has gained a large footing on the East Coast of the US.  It’s popular in the Finger Lakes and on Long Island in New York as well as Virginia.  Cab Franc continues to gain footing in North Carolina as well.  It’s one of our favorite varieties and pairs wonderful with North Carolina BBQ, either Lexington-Style or Eastern-Style.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In North Carolina<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the largest plantings of Cabernet Franc in North Carolina is the six acres at Rayson Vineyards<\/a>\u00a0in Mocksville. \u00a0Rayson was previously RayLen Vineyards. Former RayLen winemaker Steve Shepard provided some thoughts on growing Cab Franc in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina. Steve told us, “Cab Franc has been a work horse for us in that we utilize it in many ways.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"RayLen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve goes on to tell us that RayLen’s vineyard was originally planted with 3 of the highest rated French clones, 214, 327, and 312. He gave us more detailed information on each clone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n