Cabernet Sauvignon (kab-er-nay saw-vin-yawn) is one of the most respected grape varieties. The grape is widely grown throughout the world and is known to be consistent, with complex flavors, that develop after long periods of time. It is the most planted of all the red grape varieties. The varietal is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. The best Cabernet Sauvignon wines tend to have deep color, good structure, and a full body. They are tannic in youth, especially when aged in oak and often require a few years to develop. This is a wine that can age.
When the grape is produced in a cooler climate you will get more red fruit and a lighter style. The warmer climate produces more black fruit-forward wines with higher alcohol and tannins. The varietal requires plenty of heat and sunny climates to fully ripen. It is at home in warmer climates. These vines thrive well in sand, gravel and stone soil environments.
Some of the dominant flavors on the nose and palate include black currant, black cherry, eucalyptus, mint, bell pepper (cool climate); dark chocolate, cedar, vanilla, tobacco, (aged in new oak ); coffee, caramel, cigar box (well-aged).
WHERE TO FIND CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cabernet Sauvignon originated and thrives in Bordeaux, France. Other well-known regions, are Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Washington State, with the top producing countries being France, Chile, United States and Australia.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON FOOD PAIRINGS
Cabernet Sauvignon pairs best with Beef, Pork, Mushrooms, Grilled Meats, Sausage, Blue Cheese, Cheddar). The wines show the best at room temperature and should be consumed in a large oversize red wine glass. This wine can be held for 10+ years.
WHEN IS THE RIGHT MOOD FOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON?
Sometimes you have to be in the right mood for specific type of wine. For Cabernet Sauvignon, we suggest:
CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Looking for some good Cabs that are great to sip? Here are a few suggestions:
Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon
Stonestreet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon
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Maia Parish is the owner of The Wine Suite and creator of The Tales of a Wine Mistress blog. Her events and tastings are featured at national festivals and tradeshows. She has her own broadcast called Tales of a Wine Mistress, on iGTV, Facebook Watch, and Twitter Live. Maia is a Wine Judge for the Denver International Wine Competition, Drink Pink Vino International Festival, Port and Fortified, and the Pairsine Food and Wine Competitions. She was a guest panelist for the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference and was featured in the Women in Wine Issue for R.H. Drexel’s Loam Baby Volume 6, and was voted as the under over 40 Top African Americans in Wine. She was also published in SommJourmal with Karen McNeil’s the Status of Women in the Wine Industry. Swirl Suite and is working on two upcoming podcasts. She is a former private caterer and events producer.
Maia is a mom of one, sister to many, friend to food, a semi-tech nerd, TV fanatic, big hair and don’t care fashionista, and entrepreneur. She lives in Denver. She lives to learn and educate people about the wine lifestyle, why because pouring make her happy.