Cabernet Franc Australia Fleurieu McLaren Vale 750ml

Cabernet Franc is not simply an important grape varietal for the fact that it is one of the most widely grown strains of vine in the world, but also because it is a vital grape in the production of many of the finest wines the world has ever seen. For centuries in its native France, it has been a varietal synonymous with elegance and high quality, and has become a key fruit in the production of the Bordeaux and Bordeaux-style blended wines which have gone down in history thanks to their magnificent flavors, aromas and levels of aged complexity. However, Cabernet Franc is also a wine grape varietal for use in single variety, unblended wines, and has plenty to offer on its own. Most commonly, it is renowned for its wide bouquet, which often includes fascinating notes of tobacco, violets or bell pepper over a beautifully pale and decadent liquid.

Whilst most of Australia consists of arid deserts and dense bushland, the oceanic coasts to the south of the country have a terrain and climate ideal for vine cultivation and wine production. It took several decades of failed attempts at the end of the 18th century in order to produce vines of a decent enough quality for making wine, but since those first false starts, the Australian wine industry has continued to grow and grow. Today, wine production makes up for a considerable part of the Australian economy, with exports in recent years reaching unprecedented levels and even overtaking France for the first time ever. Whilst the greatest successes in regards to quality have been the result of the Syrah grape varietal (known locally as Shiraz), Australia utilizes several Old World grapes, and has had fantastic results from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Chardonnay and more. As the Australian passion for locally produced wine continues to develop, wineries have begun experimenting with a wider range of grape varietals, meaning that nowadays it isn't uncommon to find high quality Australian wines made from Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Viognier, amongst many others.

The Fleurieu peninsula is a stunning region of south Australia, located close to Adelaide and constantly drawing attention to itself over recent years due to its international status as an 'up and coming' wine region. Indeed, there has been much excitement over the wines produced in Fleurieu during the past decade, as this relatively small and unusual peninsula has consistently been producing many of the most flavorful and accessible red wines ever to come out of Australia. Thanks to its Mediterranean style climate, the vines in Fleurieu are able to produce fully ripened fruit each year, and the climatic conditions allow vintners plenty of flexibility when it comes to their wine making methods. Whilst the region is still primarily producing Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, there has been much successful innovation and experimentation with a wide range of grape varietals over recent years, and we can expect to see and hear much more from Fleurieu in the near future.