2020 Vermilion Valley Vineyards Cabernet Franc, With An Unusually Food Pairing
The Winery
Picture from Vermilion Valley Vineyards
Had an exchange with Joe Juniper about entering the 5th Annual International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition. His concern was that the Ohio region/his winery, made wine more in the Chinon style and would not be fairly evaluated against California wines. I explained that each region is evaluated on their own terroir and not against other regions. He not only entered the competition but sent me a bottle of his 2020 Cabernet Franc to try. He was spot on with his lighter/Chinon style Cabernet Franc (see below under The Wine section).
Recently did several stories on Vermilion Valley Vineyards and The Winerie at Sandusky (both labels are the same ownership and winemaker). The Vermilion Valley story was on how delicious their Pinot Noir and who knew the quality of Pinot Noir could be grown in Ohio.
The second story was on a wine seldom seen in California and many have never tasted, Lemberger wine.
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/03/10/the-winerie-at-sandusky-2021-lemberger-wine
Vermilion Valley Vineyards has 100 planted acres in four different locations. With micro climates, this allows all his wines to be 100% estate grown. What is interesting about Ohio is that some 370 wineries exist but only 900 acres of grapes are planted! Doing some simple math, removing the five largest vineyards in the state, you are left with each winery having a one acre parcel! Thus many wineries in Ohio rely on importing juice from various areas like the Central Valley of California and Washington. That is one of many unique characteristics of Vermilion Valley Vineyards and their estate wines.
Currently they produce the following red wines: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Dorsa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lemberger, Chambourcin, Dornfelder, Nebbiolo, Malbec, Pinotage and Merlot. Ditto for their white wines producing: Muscat Ottonel, Riesling. Gruner Veltliner, Müller-Thurgau, Traminette, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Valvin Muscat, Ribola Gialla, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Albariño, Pinot Blanc and Arneis. That is a wide variety of wines and all estate grown!
You can read their webpage about their high level of sustainability incorporating land use and their buildings. Link at the bottom of the page
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While this picture is nice, it doesn’t show the “lighter character of the wine” compared to California. The Chinon style of Cabernet Franc typically is one of dry, strong notes of roses, fruity, possesses structured tannins and can provide hints of pencil shavings and black berries.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Taking a picture from above the glass shows the semi-transparent quality of the wine, yet still with panache and liveliness. On the eyes, the wine’s color is violet and crisp. On the nose the wine provides strong floral notes and has medium viscosity. On the palate refreshing blueberry with a tinge of blackberry. Eloquent and refined are the two best words to describe this wine. On the finish, a complex and well-structured tannins reminds one of its pedigree. Soft vegetable notes and pyrazine flavors were note, but not prominent. The 2020 Vermilion Valley Vineyards goes for $28 and is far less expensive than a trip to the Chinon region in France!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Typical pairing with Cabernet Franc are more likely to be beef, pork, pasta and cured meats, this evening it was paired with a baked salsa chicken dish. Not a normal pairing but experimenting is the spice of life! Once of my favorite quotes is that “Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you” (Anonymous). This Cabernet Franc with mild tannins engulfed the acidity in the tomatoes and its herbal qualities blended in with the vegetable spices. Butterflied two chicken breasts, added Cayenne pepper, garlic and baked with fresh Pico d Gallo, yellow corn and minced green chilies on top of them. This meal provided a beautiful flavored chicken and the wine surprisingly provided the refreshment and flavors in its lighter style to complement the meal. Served with corn surrounding the chicken. A very good food and wine pairing.
While hosting the blind Cabernet Franc Wine Competition, I am not a judge but hoping Vermilion Valley Vineyards does well.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 