Cabernet Franc is an age old variety, and evidence suggests similarities of a wild vine, that have been selected and cultivated over time. Cabernet Franc is the third most significant Bordeaux variety, yet it is scarcely cultivated in Austria, with the exception of a small concentration of plantings in Siegendorf.
Parentage
Cabernet Franc is a very old grape variety. The natural crossing between this grape and Sauvignon Blanc created Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vineyard area
The variety has been approved as an Austrian Qualitätswein variety since 1986, and is most widespread in Burgenland and Wien.
Ripening
Ripening
Significance & conditions
With the exception of large areas under vine in Burgenland, Cabernet Franc is still relatively rare in Austria. This variety, along with Merlot, is used in the Bordeaux blend. It is a robust variety and can grow in meagre soils, but requires well-situated vineyards due to its late ripening.
Area under vine in Austria
(as a proportion of the variety’s total area)
Characteristics of the wine
Compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc produces paler, less dense wines with a more delicate bouquet and body. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and matured in barriques. Unripe grapes yield grassy, greenish-tasting wines.
Source varietal specifications: Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau (Federal College and Federal Office for Viticulture, Oenology and Fruit Growing) in Klosterneuburg, “Austria’s Qualitätswein grape varieties and their clones“ („Österreichische Qualitätsweinrebsorten und deren Klone“), 2nd, reviewed edition, September 2015
Source area under vine: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism according to IACS (as at 31 May 2022)
