Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc in Chester County
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone, as in the Loire's Chinon. In addition to being used in blends and produced as a varietal in Canada and the United States, it is sometimes made into ice wine in those regions. Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, making a bright pale red wine that contributes finesse and lends a peppery perfume to blends with more robust grapes. Depending on the growing region and style of wine, additional aromas can include tobacco, raspberry, bell pepper, cassis, and violets. Wikipedia
General Details
Photos courtesy Cain Hickey, Ph.D.,
Penn State University
Penn State University
Planting Properties
Crop Yield
Cold and Frost Sensitivity
Crop/Disease Resilience
Grape Maturity and Composition
Juice Yield, Processing and Chemistry
Wine Production
Consumer Demand
Pruning Methods
Here are some resources you can use to learn more about pruning methods:
Growth Habit
Here are some resources you can use to learn more about the growth habit of different cultivars:
- https://extension.psu.edu/mechanized-grapevine-fruit-zone-leaf-removal
- https://extension.psu.edu/grapevine-fruit-zone-leaf-removal
- https://extension.psu.edu/early-season-grapevine-canopy-management-part-ii-early-leaf-removal-elr
- https://extension.psu.edu/a-general-review-of-applied-grapevine-nutrition-principles
- https://extension.psu.edu/a-brief-review-of-fruit-zone-management-principles
Growth Vigor
Here are some resources you can use to learn more about the growth vigor of different cultivars:- https://extension.psu.edu/shoot-thinning-considerations-in-bunch-grape-vineyards
- https://extension.psu.edu/early-season-grapevine-canopy-management-shoot-thinning
- https://extension.psu.edu/a-general-review-of-applied-grapevine-nutrition-principles
- https://extension.psu.edu/the-fundamentals-of-grapevine-tissue-sampling-for-nutrient-analysis
- https://extension.psu.edu/assessing-and-managing-potassium-concentration-in-the-vineyard
Bud Break Timing
Here are some resources you can use to learn more about the bud break timing of different cultivars:
Cold Injury
Here are some resources you can use to learn more about the cold injury risks of different cultivars:
- Cold injury of buds:
https://extension.psu.edu/grapevine-cold-injury - Cold injury of permanent vine structures:
https://extension.psu.edu/grapevine-cold-injury
Chances of reaching desired maturity
Here is a resource you can use to learn more about the chances the fruit will reach desired maturity:
Harvest Timing
Here is a resource you can use to learn more about harvest timing:
Trellis Systems
Here is a resource you can use to learn more about trellis systems:
Disease and Pest Resilience
Here are several resources you can use to learn about different diseases and pest issues with growing cultivars:
- Difficulty controlling sour rot:
https://extension.psu.edu/grape-sour-rot - Difficulty controlling downy mildew:
https://extension.psu.edu/fungicide-resistance-management-in-vineyards
https://extension.psu.edu/grape-disease-downy-mildew
https://extension.psu.edu/downy-mildew-on-grapes - Difficulty controlling powdery mildew:
https://extension.psu.edu/fungicide-resistance-management-in-vineyards
https://extension.psu.edu/powdery-mildew-of-grapes-in-home-gardens - Difficulty controlling botrytis bunch rot
https://extension.psu.edu/botrytis-bunch-rot-winemaking-implications-and-considerations
https://extension.psu.edu/grape-disease-botrytis-bunch-rot
https://extension.psu.edu/fungicide-resistance-management-in-vineyards - Difficulty controlling black rot:
https://extension.psu.edu/grape-disease-black-rot-photo-gallery
https://extension.psu.edu/grape-disease-black-rot - Difficulty controlling phomopsis:
https://extension.psu.edu/phomopsis-cane-leaf-spot-and-fruit-rot-in-home-vineyards
Chemistry: pH
Here is a resource you can use to learn more about a cultivar’s pH chemistry: