Cabernet Franc Food Pairing: 20+ Creative Matches

I’m a huge fan of Cab Franc. It’s one of my go-to red grape varieties especially when I’m pairing wine with food for a special night. In this Cabernet Franc food pairing guide I’ve listed my favorite matches with Cabernet Franc; some traditional pairings and some creative foods that pair with Cab Franc.

Cabernet Franc Food Pairing Guide

Cabernet Franc food pairing is easy when you consider Cab Franc’s flavor profile. It is one of the most versatile red wines for food pairing. This guide will help you make perfect matches every time you serve Cabernet Franc plus meal ideas when you have a bottle you’re dying to open. In this guide you will learn:

• Flavor profile of Cabernet Franc to consider when pairing food
• 18+ Foods that pair well with Cabernet Franc
  • Meat dishes with Cabernet Franc
  • Cabernet Franc with Vegetarian Food
  • Cabernet Franc Cheese Pairing

• Tips for nailing your next Cabernet Franc food pairing
• Brief backstory of the grape
• Aromas and flavors of Cabernet Franc

The Flavors of Cabernet Franc and How they Affect Food Pairing

Cabernet Franc is a medium-bodied red wine with delicious berry aromas and zingy pepper characteristics. Its keen acidity helps brighten up the palate with fattier dishes, as well. Cabernet Franc is one of the main Bordeaux grapes and the grape of the Chinon region in the Loire Valley in France. It is also the parent grape to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenere. Cab Franc is a nice alternative to these grapes especially in warmer months when Cabernet Sauvignon might feel too heavy.

Cabernet Franc is less tannic and lower in alcohol than its “children.” The lower tannins make Cabernet Franc a great match with spicier dishes that have barbeque sauce or mustard sauces. Learn all about pairing with with food here.

Meat Dishes that Pair with Cabernet Franc

With a lot of red wines, meat dishes are the obvious pairing choice; Cabernet Franc is not exception. Leaner meats and meats served with a tomato sauce or spicy sauce are great options for meat dishes that pair with Cabernet Franc.

• Beef tenderloin
• Chili con carne
• Grilled pork chops
• Chicken Shawarma
• Filet mignon with mushroom gravy
• Roast chicken with Provence herbs
• Lamb lollipops
• Tandoori Chicken
• Pulled pork
• Sloppy Joe’s
• Corned beef and cabbage
• Spare Ribs
• Lamb tagine
• Game meats like duck, pheasant, quail

Cabernet Franc Food Pairing with Vegetarian Dishes

There are plenty of vegetarian foods that pair well with red wine. Specifically with Cabernet Franc food pairing, I lean towards baked vegetarian dishes versus fresh salads and vegetables.

• Sautéed mushrooms with balsamic vinegar
• Eggplant Parmigiana
• Ratatouille
• Fried tofu stir fry
• Stuffed green peppers
• Faux meat tacos 

Cabernet Franc Cheese Pairing

The best cheeses to pair with Cab Franc have a stronger flavor. Look for blue cheeses, goat cheeses, or aged cheeses.

• Blue cheeses like Roquefort, stilton, or gorgonzola
• Goat cheeses like chevre, feta, or Garrotxa
• Classic cheddar cheese is a great cheese match with Cab Franc, too

Food Pairing Tips for Cabernet Franc

When considering a meal to pair with Cabernet Franc, incorporate these basic wine and food pairing principles. The wine and food should be in balance. Cabernet Franc is a medium-bodied wine and pairs best with foods that are not too light and are not too heavy. The key to a successful Cabernet Franc food pairing is balance. Salads and fish dishes will be overwhelmed by Cab Franc, and conversely a peppered Black Angus grilled steak will overpower the wine.

Cabernet Franc has a fair amount of acidity which complements dishes with acidity like those with a tomato sauce or lemon dressing. There is a good amount of herbal and spicy notes in quality Cabernet Franc which matches with herbs and spices in a dish. In addition, because Cab Franc isn’t high in alcohol or tannin, it can take on spicy Ethnic foods like lamb and poultry dishes from the Middle East, Northern Africa and India.

A bit about Cabernet Franc- Proud Poppa

Cabernet Franc is one of the original grapes of Bordeaux. Over the years in the vineyards, Cabernet Franc crossed with a few other grapes to parent the most famous grapes in the world; Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It is also a parent to the less known grape Carmenere. Cabernet Franc is blended with Merlot in Bordeaux to make the prized wines of Pomerol and St Emilion. In the the Loire Valley of France, Cabernet Franc is a monovarietal wine in the Chinon region. The French don’t label their wines with the variety so if you see Chinon on the label, you know it’s Cabernet Franc. The Finger Lakes in New York are also making some pretty tasty Cab Franc, too.

What does Cabernet Franc smell like?

Cabernet Franc can be a very aromatic wine. It smells like plums, blueberries, and green bell peppers. Cabernet Franc can sometimes smell like crushed black pepper and jalapenos.

What does Cabernet Franc taste like?

Cabernet Franc is a medium body, medium to medium+ acid, dry red wine with mild tannins. The pepper and plum flavors are dominant on the palate. With the addition of oak ageing, Cabernet Franc smells like chocolate and vanilla. The mouthfeel of Cabernet Franc is pleasant and quality Cabernet Franc will leave a lingering finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

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