Collecting wine provides wine lovers irreplaceable enjoyment. Because of their passion for wine, they invest time, money, and effort to collect even the most expensive vintages.

They also take time to acquire as much knowledge as possible about wine, such as understanding not only the difference between whites and reds, but also the different grape varieties. Knowing the ideal storage conditions for wines to mature is also important.

By knowing the varietals of the wines stored in your wine cellar, you will develop a deeper appreciation for the grapes used in making your favorite vintages. This will also help you choose the right type of wines to store and display in your wine cellar and to pick the right bottle to go with the food on your table.

Two Famous Wine Varietals in Canada

There are many different grape varieties around the world, however, not all of these can be used to produce quality wines. Let’s talk about two of the popular varietals in Canada and how to store them properly.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is considered one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon. It prefers cool, inland climates such as France, California, Australia, Chile, South Africa, and Canada.

Cabernet Franc is believed to be Canada’s signature red. In Canada, Cabernet Franc is produced as an ice wine in Ontario (they produce 99% of the world’s ice wine).

Because of its finesse, Cabernet Franc grapes are usually used in Bordeaux style blends (with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot), lending to a peppery perfume. Blending Cabernet Franc with other varietals is necessary because it cannot achieve longevity on its own and is not suitable for long-term aging. However, there are still some producers who prefer to sell it as a single varietal.

Cabernet Franc

As a wine, it exhibits hints of pepper, tobacco, black cherry, raspberry, mint, black currant, spicy and slightly floral aromas, and nuances of violet. The green leafy notes are minimized by delaying the harvest of the grapes.

Cabernet Franc is light to medium bodied and has lighter color than Cabernet Sauvignon, but its aromas are more intense. The overall profile of Cabernet Franc greatly depends on the origin of the grapes and the vineyard of origin’s practices.

It is best paired with Greek cuisines, braised meat, poultry, veggie pizza, lasagna, and other vegetarian and tomato dishes.