A Cab Franc Carnival last weekend saw over 200 Cab Franc lovers wandering around Avontuur Wine Farm trying 18 different versions.
This was the first time something like this has been put together and although there were notable omissions (Warwick, Oldenburg, Rainbows End, Haut Espoir, Raka to name a few) the range of wines on offer really showed why this wine can rock in SA. With the opportunity to try so many Cab Francs in one sitting and discovering some great new wines it was definately a great experience for those who attended.
Expanding it to include Cab Franc-led blends seems to have been a good way to go and encouraging other producers to join in.
Cab Franc is always going to be niche when compared to the glories of Cabernet Sauvignon but it definitely deserves a bigger niche than it currently enjoys.
If you’ve never tried one before, seek out the easily-available Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc from Woolworths. Black fruits balanced by a pretty, perfumed, furry-leafed freshness – you’ll never go back to straight Cabernet Sauvignon again!