Today, Sunday, December 4, is the second annual Cabernet Franc Day! Which means it’s time to show Cabernet Franc some well-deserved love!

Sue and I pouring Cantara Cellars Cab Franc blend “Frankenvine” at last night’s Ventura’s Wine Walk.

So I asked Que Syrah “Give me Cabernet Franc or else” Sue why we should celebrate Cabernet Franc today. Together we came up with this list:

1. Cabernet Franc came to the Loire Valley, France in the 17th Century thanks to Cardinal Richelieu who died on December 4.
2. Cabernet Franc is a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon (with Sauvignon Blanc no less as determined by DNA evidence in 1997; it’s also a parent of  Carmenere (which we celebrated Nov. 24) and Merlot (which we celebrated Nov. 8).
3. Cabernet Franc grounds classic Bordeaux blends (along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec) adding peppery earth, finesse, and depth.
4. Cabernet Franc brings vegetal characteristics (from grass to leaves to bell pepper) to the palate.
5. Cabernet Franc pairs exceptionally well with beef and cuts through rich heavy foods without being a rich heavy wine.
6. Cabernet Franc offers a heady combination of aroma, spice, and fruit in a lightly, vibrantly colored container.
7. Cabernet Franc’s popularity makes it one of the 20 most planted varietals in the world.

Celebrate Cabernet Franc Day with us by opening a bottle and sharing on social media so we can see what you’re drinking and thinking. Go to twitter and search for the hashtags #CabFrancDay, #CabernetFranc, and #CabernetFrancDay to see what others are saying about Cabernet Franc.

For our Cabernet Franc Festivities, we’re opening three Cabernet Franc wines today, two from California (Cantara Cellars using Lodi fruit and Four Brix using Paso Robles fruit) and one from Idaho (Hat Ranch Winery). Learn more about Cabernet Franc in Paso Robles here:

And please check back in this Saturday Dec. 10 when the Wine Pairing Weekend folks focus on Cabernet Franc!