A Cabernet Franc Crave
When asked what my favorite grape variety is, my heart balances between Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
Cabernet Sauvignon, as I am from Bordeaux, and thus grew up with wines predominantly made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. And, no matter what I do, I always come back to Bordeaux wines. Back to my roots.
And, Pinot Noir, as, throughout my career as a Sommelier/Wine Buyer, I have learned how to also love and, with age, even prefer Pinot Noir. I slowly became a traitor to my region of Bordeaux, by drinking more Burgundy.
As someone told me recently, and I think this sentence perfectly resumes the situation and reflects the reality of the drinking habits of a lot of people I know:
«Les amateurs de bons vins naissent à Bordeaux et meurent en Bourgogne!»
(“Lovers of good wines are born in Bordeaux and die in Burgundy!”)
However, besides these two, another grape variety that also gives me true pleasure in drinking is Cabernet Franc. And, do not ask me why, as, if not done right, Cabernet Franc can be green, herbaceous, bitter, tannic, rugged, even rough and rustic, and rather unpleasant.
Yet, when done right, especially in the Loire Valley, where it is thriving, Cabernet Franc is delightful, and can easily withstand or even surpass some of its Bordeaux and Burgundy counterparts, in terms of taste, complexity, and more especially price, like this wine at around 8€ a bottle.
Driven by the sudden desire to drink a Cabernet Franc, on a budget, I just picked it up from the aisle of a local supermarket, to give it a try; more by curiosity than knowledge, as despite the famous names of Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur, Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire (the list would be too long to mention them all…), I must admit that my knowledge of Loire Valley is rather limited.
Domaine Bruneau “Grande Cuvée” Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2018, is an exquisite little wine, well crafted, light to medium-bodied, well balanced, fairly supple, boasting fresh, crisp acidity, deliciously perfumed, exhibiting aromas of raspberry and blackcurrant, with bramble notes. It paired well with the slices of Salchichon Iberico Bellota.
Cheers! Santé!
Dom
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