Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely grown grape in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon has Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc as parents, according to the grape's pedigree. This family bond explains why the aroma profiles of these three grapes are so similar despite their different end products.
Cabernet Sauvignon is characterized by a thick grape skin that produces a lot of color and tannins. The fruit ripens late, requiring a climate with a lot of sunshine and warmth. It is rare for Cabernet Sauvignon to fully ripen anywhere in the world - not even in Bordeaux or the Médoc.
Cabernet Sauvignon - The grape from around the world
The majority of the world's wine writers agree that the most popular and best wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon come from Bordeaux, Napa Valley in California, and Bolgheri in Tuscany. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape variety in the world, and is therefore easy to find in almost every country with a warm climate.
It is also possible to find good Cabernet Sauvignon wines outside these three areas. In the Barossa Valley (South Australia), Colchagua Valley (Chile), Western Cape (South Africa) and in Washington State you can also find wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, which in terms of quality can approach the great wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous wine region of Bordeaux.
Bordeaux
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Bordeaux's major grape varieties. It does particularly well in the cooler climate found in the western part of Bordeaux, close to the Atlantic coast. This is where some of the most expensive and sought-after Bordeaux wines are produced.
The best vineyards are located on high hills with a steady flow of sea breezes, ensuring the grapes a perfect ripening environment. This part of Bordeaux is home to some of the world's most famous vineyards, such as Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Haut-Brion.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blended
In Bordeaux, they typically do not make wines from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, as the grape ripens late and the climate is not warm enough to do so. The grape is typically blended with Merlot, which together are the two most important grapes in Bordeaux. Merlot is the most planted grape variety in Bordeaux.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the perfect partnership, as Merlot often contributes a big and full body. The climate in the different vintages determines the relationship between the two grapes. In the cool vintages, a larger amount of Merlot will be included than in the warm vintages.
Grand Cru Classé
The Bordeaux 1855 classification has played a major role in the worldwide fame of Cabernet Sauvignon. The legendary classification was designed to rank the best Bordeaux wine estates and has only been changed a few times, including when Mouton-Rothschild was moved from 2nd to 1st Cru in 1973. Only wines from the Médoc are classified in the five Cru Classé levels, with the exception of Haut-Brion from Graves.
Super Tuscans (Bolgheri)
While Bordeaux is the spiritual home of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, it was in Tuscany that the grape found its second home. Cabernet Sauvignon wines from this area are often called super Tuscans as they do not follow the traditional DOC and DOCG rules of Tuscan wine production.
The first Super Tuscan, Sassicaia, was created by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in 1968. Inspired by the great Bordeaux wines, he decided to plant Cabernet Sauvignon on his Tuscan estate, Tenuta San Guido. The result was a big, full-bodied red wine that was very different from the more moderate, light wines like Chianti that were the norm in Tuscany at the time.
Sassicaia
Sassicaia's success led to a number of other producers following suit, and today Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in Tuscany. Cabernet Sauvignon wines are typically blended with Sangiovese and Merlot, as Cabernet Sauvignon on its own can be a bit too tight and be characterized by too much tannin and tannic acid.
Wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon in Tuscany can give the wine a beautiful and intense color with many of the classic aromas that Cabernet Sauvignon wine often possesses. The notes are often clearly characterized by red berries such as blackcurrant, raspberry and blackberry, but can also often give sensations of cedar, tobacco and spices from the warm climates.
Napa Valley
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is one of the most widely grown grapes in the world, and it is particularly important in the wine regions of the New World. Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Napa Valley are some of the most sought-after wines in the world due to the region's favorable climate and soil.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines are typically big, full-bodied and very fruity with lots of ripe tannins that give them great aging potential. The best vineyards are located on well-drained hillsides with good exposure to sunlight.
Unlike Bordeaux and Bolgheri, many Napa Valley wines are made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Real Napa Cab is generously barrel-aged with plenty of spices – the epitome of power wine!
While both Bordeaux and Super Tuscans are known for being blends with Cabernet Sauvignon, many Napa Valley wines are made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon. True Napa Cab is barrel-aged, which gives the wine plenty of spice and vanilla.
Cabernet Sauvignon wine
Cabernet can have a wide range of flavors and aromas, depending on the climate, soil, and viticulture of the region in which it is grown. Cabernet Sauvignon wines from cooler climates tend to have higher acidity and are more moderate and light wines with elegant fruit with notes of blackcurrant, cassis, and green pepper. Cabernet Sauvignon wines from warmer climates tend to have a higher alcohol content and are typically riper.
Cabernet Sauvignon red wine
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most popular red wine grapes. It is typically blended with other grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon wines are typically full-bodied, with tannins that give the wine good aging potential. Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile grape that can be used to produce a wide range of different wine styles, from light and fruity to big and bold. When barrel aging is involved in a Cabernet Sauvignon red wine, the wines require a lot of air to allow the many notes of blackberry, tobacco, cedar and blackcurrant to be perceived.
Cabernet Sauvignon for food
Cabernet Sauvignon wines are typically full-bodied and tannic, making them ideal for food.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect partner for red meat dishes such as steak, lamb or game. Cabernet Sauvignon is also a good match for rich, hearty stews.
When it comes to cheese, Cabernet Sauvignon is a great partner for hard and sharp cheeses like cheddar, parmesan and pecorino. Cabernet Sauvignon can also be enjoyed with chocolate desserts or even on its own as an after-dinner drink.
