Cabernet Franc, the venerable parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, is planted widely across the globe. However, it has rarely been used as a stand alone varietal for wine. It is usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in a Bourdeaux blend style. In recent years this grape has found its footing in areas of the world that express its unique characters and we are seeing more wines featuring this grape as the star. Lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, these grapes produce savory and bright red wines with hint of herbaceousness and bell pepper. Join us as we taste our way through Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Franc
Saturday, May 11, 7:00 pm
Hosted by James and Tessa Hand
1565 Johnson Drive, Moorhead, MN 56560
$25 members, $35 non-members
Please rsvp by Thursday, May 9
Wine regions around the world are often associated with the characteristic varieties of grapes that grow in those regions. For example, Australia has Shiraz, Burgundy has Pinot Noir, and Spain has Tempranillo. Undoubtedly the national grape of Portugal is Touriga Nacional. The dry red wines of the Duoro Valley express the characteristic rich robust spicy black fruits with hints of violets because of this grape. It is also one of the main grapes used to produce the famous port wines of the region. The grape has migrated throughout the world and is now being grown in many new world regions. Please join us as we explore the many flavors of Tourgia Nacional in all its glory.
Last month’s Napa Cabernet wine tasting was certainly a tour de force of wine experiences. But our World Tour of Cabernet Sauvignon does not stop there. This venerable grape is grown throughout the world and expresses in unique ways. Next we will be heading down under where we will visit amazing grape growing regions along the south western coast of Australia. Powerful and luscious cabs from the moderate climates of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale provide plush deep flavors with soft tannins. In Coonawarra, rich red terra rosa soils and and a warm to hot climate provides for great ripening to bring down those bell pepper flavors. And Margaret River provides a good balance of hot daytime temperatures and cooler evenings that lowers the acidity and reaches depths of ripeness other regions do not. Join us on Saturday, September 8 as we explore the Cabernets of Australia.
From the stony cliffs of Corsica to the valleys and plateaus of Lebanon, the wine regions around the Mediterranean Sea offer a unique variety of soils, climates and grapes. Join us as we tour the Mediterranean in search of fine wine and fun times. We will visit the islands of Crete and Sicily and make a stop in Israel along the way.
With the arrival of Spanish missionaries to South America in the 1500’s came the wine industry. While the wines of South America today bear little resemblance to the wines of the 16th century, the history and culture is infused in their extraordinary wines. In the 19th century, French agronomists introduced classic European varieties such as malbec, carménère and cabernet sauvignon. Thus, there is a rich array of tastes to explore. Join us as we travel to Chile, Argentina and Uruguay to discover the flavors of the south.