Jackpot Cabernet Franc

Golden Mile Bench, Canada

Road 13 Vineyards' benchmark red from the Golden Mile Bench on BC's Black Sage/Highway 97 corridor. Cabernet franc is a natural fit for the Golden Mile's south-facing gravel terraces: the variety's aromatic precision and medium-weight structure suit conditions where the south Okanagan's heat might overwhelm a heavier variety. Road 13's Jackpot bottling is named for the lottery winnings that funded the winery's founding; it is now the region's calling card for franc of serious intent.

Pairing intelligence

• starter: Cabernet Franc and asparagus is one of the most debated and ultimately validated pairings. Both share methoxypyrazine aromatics (bell pepper, fresh herb) — the wine's green herbal note directly complements asparagus's inherent character. Romesco's roasted pepper-almond richness provides substance that grounds the pairing; Manchego echoes the wine's light tannin without overwhelming it.
• main: Cabernet Franc's characteristic green-pepper note bridges the earthy beetroot; the wine's cassis fruit is mirrored in the beet's sweetness. Goat cheese acidity aligns with the wine's natural freshness. A sophisticated vegetarian main pairing.
• cheese: Cab Franc's green herb and graphite edge complement aged cheddar's sharpness; fig and walnut bridge the fruit and structural tannin across the mid-palate.
• starter: Jackpot's herbal precision and graphite minerality are an ideal foil for goat cheese's tang and beet's earthy sweetness; the wine's structural freshness lifts the salad's richness.
• fish course: Cabernet Franc's herbal precision and red fruit elegance finds a classical expression alongside duck confit; lentils' earthiness mirrors the wine's terroir and the natural jus amplifies both.