Bourgueil

Cabernet Franc wines began at Bourgueil, where they have been grown and produced for over 1,000 years at the Abbey de Bourgueil. Because the region spans a variety of terroirs, the red wines can slightly differ, with light-bodied and fruit-forward flavors as well as more powerful variations.

Cabernet Franc has a wide range of expression in Bourgueil wines, depending on soil type and vintage variations. Cooler vintages and sandy gravel soils provide lighter, fruitier versions bursting with raspberry aromatics. Limestone soils and warmer vintages like 2015 produce more complex, longer-lived wines with raspberry aromas complemented by licorice and spices. In lighter styles, the wines have aromas of cherries and strawberries, while more structured expressions develop into spicy wines with notes of undergrowth, leather, and ripe fruit. Wines from Bourgueil go well with grilled pork or chicken, while bolder styles go well with red meat or game, as well as aged cheese.