Gastronomer

Cabernet Franc of Northern Italy

 

The two most important wine producing regions in northern Italy are Piedmont in the northwest, and Veneto in the northeast. Red wines from these regions range from some of the most expensive and sought after in all of Italy.  Amarone is arguably one of the best wines produced in the Northern Italian region. However, a good bottle of  2007 Amarone will cost locally 50+ euros  at least.  What is a wonderful more affordable wine is the Cabernet Franc.

 

Typical of northern Italy Cabernet Franc’s are made from the black-skinned French wine grape variety grown in most wine producing nations. The variety is most famously known as the third grape of Bordeaux.  Cabernet Franc generally has a bouquet of herbaceous accents of tobacco with a hint of dark spice. 

 

Cabernet Franc tends to be light to medium in body and regularly shows vegetal characteristics, in particular green bell peppers. 

 

Food Pairings

Wild game, lamb, duck liver, soft cheese