Become an Expert on Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is an essential blending grape, found primarily in  Bordeaux-style blends. Cabernet Franc was primarily used as the third and smallest minority ingredient in the production of the coveted Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Franc helps create meritage magic with its constant companions, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Cardinal Richelieu transported Cabernet Franc cuttings from Abbey of…

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Think You Know Your Grapes? Find Out With this Quiz

Wine is special to us. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Zinfandel, Syrah. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer. These are all very common grape varietals and they are all relatives of each other. [bctt tweet=”Wine gets its flavor mostly from the grape itself.”] The grape variety, the soil, the terroir, the microclimate all lead to the flavors…

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Have A Tractor Trailer? Get in the Bottling Business

AP vs Custom Crush Dracaena Wines is part of an AP [alternating proprietorship]. What this means is that we don’t have our own physical building. Instead, two or more wineries share (alternate) use of part of a bonded winery’s facility. Both the host winery and the individual wineries using the facility are actual bonded wineries….

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In the Wind of Pleasure

Last month Ted of The Drunken Cyclist won the Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #23 (#MWWC23) and just like all previous winners of the Challenge, his “reward” was to choose the theme for the following Challenge (in this case #MWWC24). He decide on the theme of “Pleasure.” Honestly, I didn’t know how I would approach this theme until I read…

Here’s Why We Should Celebrate Cabernet Franc Day

I wrote this post exclusively for SocialVignerons.com.  It was originally posted on September 7, 2015.  I am so thankful to Julien Miquel for his help and support in getting Cabernet Franc Day recognized as a wine holiday.  I would also like to thank Jim Finley of American Winery Guide for his support. So on December 4th, be…

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The Ballad of Cab Franc

Fáilte! This is my entry to the Monthly Wine Writers Challenge.  Last month, Frank of Frankly Wines, was the winner and provided the theme for the new Monthly Wine Writing Challenge (#MWWC20). The thought behind this friendly competition was that as wine writers we get caught up in all the wine and  often forget about the creativity aspect of writing.   For…