Chinon (France)
Chinon is a red wine from Touraine in the Loire Valley.
It is made from the grape Cabernet Franc.
Chinon Flavors
Red and Black Berries, and Pyrazine (Jalapeno) are typical Chinon flavors.
Hints of Perfume (Violets), Herbs, Spices, and Gravel or Graphite.
 Strawberry |
 Raspberry |
 Black Cherry |
 Blueberry |
 Jalapeno |
 Herbs |
 Violets |
 Pepper |
Tertiary Flavors from Aging: Balsamic. Earth. Mushroom. Coffee. Tobacco.
 Mushroom |
 Coffee |
 Tobacco |
 Barrel |
Chinon Profile
Chinon has fine fruit and a dry, fresh, and slightly acidic style:
| BODY: | Medium |
| TANNINS: | Medium |
| FRUIT: | Medium |
| ACIDITY: | Medium - High |
| ALCOHOL: | 11.5-13.5% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 14-15°C (57-59°F) |
Chinon Food Pairing
Chinon is a very versatile food wine. It pairs perfectly with rich Stews, Cassoulets and Marinated Asian (Not Spicy).
Cabernet Franc also loves BBQ and Grilled Meat (Beef. Veal. Pork. Chicken. Game).
In addition, the acidic style pairs well with Vinegar and Tomato-based Dishes.
 Antipasti |
 Olive Oil |
 Vinegar |
 Soups |
Soups |
 Pasta |
Mushroom |
 Pizza |
 Chicken |
 Pork |
 Lamb |
 Veal |
Excellent Pairings
Rich Pasta. Ravioli.
Lasagna. Spaghetti Meatballs.
Fried or Grilled Mushrooms.
Soups. Casseroles.
Stews. Beef Stew. Veal.
Roasted Chicken, Pork, or Lamb.
BBQ. Grilled Beef.
Cheeses
Soft Cheese. Goat. Camembert. Feta. Fontina.
The Ideal Glass for Chinon
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The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl. The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance. The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste. |
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Cabernet Franc in France
The Loire Valley
The most prestigious Cabernet Franc wines comes from the Loire Valley in France.
Bourgueil, Chinon, and Saumur-Champigny are all made almost exclusively with Cabernet Franc.
These wines are dry, elegant, and medium-bodied red wines with a fine berry-like fruit, often marked by slightly grape stalk tannins in the aftertaste.
In good years, these wines can recall Bordeaux wines.
The Bordeaux Blends
In Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is used in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon (Left Bank) and Merlot (Right Bank) to make the famous Bordeaux wines.
Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon and adds a pale red color and a peppery perfume to the blend.
Cabernet Franc in Europe
France
The most typical Cabernet Franc wines comes from the Loire Valley.
In Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is used in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon (Left Bank) and Merlot (Right Bank) to make the famous Bordeaux wines.
Italy
Northern Italy grows a lot of Cabernet Franc with the same characteristics as in the French Loire Valley.
Spain
In Spain, Cabernet Franc is mainly found in Catalonia, where it is a variety in four Denominaciones de Origen.
Other Regions
Outside France, Italy, and Spain, Cabernet France is found in Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, and in Greece (known as Tsapournakos).
New World Cabernet Franc
USA
In the USA, Cabernet Franc has shown a great potential in cooler areas.
Argentina
Cabernet Franc is producing top quality wines in Argentina.
Other Regions
Cabernet Franc is also planted in Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and China.
About Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is the father of Cabernet Sauvignon after beeing crossed with Sauvignon Blanc.
Even if Cabernet Franc is related to Cabernet Sauvignon it does not have the same qualities. Cabernet Franc is lighter, more fruity, less tannin rich, and matures earlier.
Cabernet Franc creates wines with great berry-like fruit aromas, characterized by raspberries and violets, as well as a spicy touch of green pepper.
Cabernet Franc wines may lack some fullness, but they have a great aroma. Cabernet Franc is often mixed with Merlot or big brother Cabernet Sauvignon, both of which give more fullness to the Cabernet Franc.
DNA
Cabernet Franc originated in Spanish Basque Country from 2 local grapes: Morenoa and Hondarribi Beltza.
It’s known as "Bouchet" in Saint-Émilion, "Bouchy" in the Pyrenées, "Breton" in the Loire Valley and Alcheria (Fox) in the Basque Country.
Cabernet Franc is the proud father of Cabernet Sauvignon (After beeing crossed with Sauvignon Blanc).
Even if Cabernet Franc is related to Cabernet Sauvignon it does not have the same qualities. Cabernet Franc is lighter, more fruity, less tannin rich, and matures earlier.
Terroir
Cabernet Franc is a worl-wide grape because it adapts to different terroirs, often the same terroirs as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Franc loves sand, gravel, limestone, and clay.
The better performance in the world is in Saint-Émilion (Bordeaux), in the Loire Valley and in Italy (Tuscany and Friuli).
Wine Region Loire
Loire Valley Climate
Different regions are subject to different climate influences:
Lower Loire (Muscadet and Pays Nantais) has a cool maritime climate with high rainfall.
Middle Loire (Anjou-Saumur and Touraine) has a cold climate with a mix of oceanic and continental influence.
Central Loire (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé) has a cold continental climate with cold winters and warm summers.
Loire Valley Terroir
The terroir in the Loire Valley is incredibly varied due to its geographic spread:
Lower Loire is known for its granite and schist soils, which give the wines (Muscadet) a distinctive mineral character.
Middle Loire has limestone, clay and sand soils. The Saumur and Touraine soils can be good for both white and red wines.
Central Loire has limestone and silex (flint) soils which give the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines their signature smoky and mineral flavors.
65% White Grapes
30% Chenin Blanc |
35% Black Grapes
20% Cabernet Franc |
45% White Wines
Anjou Blanc |
20% Red Wines
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20% Rosé Wines
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15% Sparkling Wines
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