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South American Cabernet Franc: Expert’s choice

Planted across Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, Cabernet Franc is revealing a distinctive New World identity – particularly when planted at altitude. Alejandro Iglesias recommends top bottles to try.

An essential ingredient in many great wines, Cabernet Franc never quite seems to have received its due in the Loire Valley, Bordeaux or Tuscany – an injustice that winemakers in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay are looking to put right. Even though just 3,000ha are under vine, South America has been doing a lot more to improve its reputation than many Old World producers. In the warm, dry conditions found in South American vineyards, Cabernet Franc ripens better, with fewer pyrazines (which give a leafy, green pepper character) and gentler tannins.


Alejandro Iglesias’ top South American Cabernet Franc recommendations


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