California Cab Franc with a Homey Casual Meal #WinePW

You don't have to wait for company to open a nice bottle of wine.  Just a quiet, casual, family dinner can be made wonderful.  I opened this amazing bottle of Camp Cabernet Franc from Sonoma County and served it up with a homey, comforting meatloaf.

I am hosting our Wine Pairing Weekend group this month and invite you to join us as we Explore Cab Franc from Around the World.

It used to be that Cab Franc was best known as a grape used in the blend for Bordeaux wine but a lot has changed. This lovely varietal is now a force unto it's own.

And with good reason.  This medium bodied red wine is very food friendly.  In France, where it originated, this single varietal wine is called Chinon.  I find it to be lighter and spicier than it's more popular son Cabernet Sauvignon.

Believed to have been first grown in Loire Valley it was brought to the Bordeaux region in the late 18th century and was one of three varietals that make up the well known blend from that area.

This varietal is now grown around the world.  In fact, it is one of the most widely planted grapes, being grown in Asia, Europe and North America.  When you buy a Meritage wine it will normally contain Cabernet Franc.

I served mine up on a busy weeknight when I had spent all day preparing for our Church Fish Fry and had a couple of minutes to relax before running to choir practice.  It was so nice to sit and relax with meatloaf, grilled asparagus, mac and cheese and a wonderful glass of wine.

I opened up a bottle of CAMP Cab Franc from Sonoma County.  CAMP winery is part of Hobo Wine Company that created this wine to showcase the quality of Sonoma wine.  They get their grapes from smaller, responsibly farmed wineries.  Their goal is to produce food friendly, table ready, and affordable wines.

This wine pours much lighter than a Cab Sauv or Merlot. It is more brick in color.  Strong spice notes on the nose and on the tongue.  It is medium weight, not as heavy as many reds.

Thank you for stopping by to learn about Cabernet Franc Wine. Please join us for twitter chat following #WinePW on Saturday, March 9, at 11 AM ET.

• 2 oz Pours: 5 Cali Cab Francs by Nicole of Somm's Table
• At the Brasserie: Domaine de la Noblaie Pierre de Tuf 2014 with Chanterelle Mushroom & Herb Omelet by Cindy of Grape Experiences
• Lamb Stew Paired with Cabernet Franc Created by Couplesfrom Gwendolyn of Wine Predator
• Cabernet Franc Food Pairings by Steven of Wine and Food Pairings
• Think Spring! Cabernet Franc Rosé Paired with Pasta e Piselli by Linda of My Full Wine Glass
• Cabernet Franc: A Vegetarian's Best Friend by Lori of Dracaena Wines
• California Cab Franc with a Homey Casual Meal by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Chicken + Loire Valley Cabernet Franc — A Devilishly Delicious Pairing by Nancy of Pull That Cork
• Experimenting Chilean Perez Cruz Cabernet Franc with Five (Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Salty and Umami) Tasty Meat by Pinny of Chinese Food and Wine Pairings
• Ironstone 2016 Cabernet Franc: Comparing the Reserve and the Not Reserve by Cam of Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Leah Jorgensen’s Blanc de Cabernet Franc Paired with Red Lentil Soup by Lauren of The Swirling Dervish
• Portobello Mushroom Chicken Braise with Dracaena Reserve Cabernet Franc by David of Cooking Chat
• Made in China Sparkling Cabernet Franc Pairs Great with Weeknight Dinner by Traveling Wine Profs.

Next month's WinePW will be hosted by Gwendolyn over at Wine Predator. She asks us to explore Biodynamic Wines of the World. Here's her invitation post!