Cabernet Sauvignon
Overview
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape variety known for its thick, durable skin, and the vine's resistance to the elements. After the Bordeaux region of France, the vine proliferated across the globe. Today, Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps the world's most famous red wine grape due to its widespread planting and consistent characteristics across different environments.
History
The origins of Cabernet Sauvignon are relatively recent and surprising. The grape is the product of a chance crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc during the 17th century in southwestern France. Its popularity in the wine world is due to its ability to adapt to a variety of vineyard soils, its hardy vine which resists disease, and its consistent presentation of flavors which express the typical character ("typicity") of the variety, allowing it to be identified by its varietal character in blind tastings.
Viticulture
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grow well in a variety of soil types but particularly thrive in deep, well-draining soils. The grape vine is one of the last major varietals to bud and ripen (typically 1–2 weeks after Merlot and Cabernet Franc) which protects it from potential damage from spring frosts but also exposes it to fall harvest rains. The vine is incredibly vigorous and needs to be well managed through techniques like canopy management and yield control for the best wine quality.
Wine Regions
Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in nearly every major wine producing country. It is the most widely planted red wine grape in the world, surpassing other well-known varieties such as Merlot and Pinot noir. The grape's widespread popularity can be attributed to its ease of cultivation—the hardy vine is resistant to frost and disease—and to consumers' appreciation of the robust, tannic wines it produces.
France
In France, Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily grown in the Bordeaux region, where it is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The Medoc district and Graves region of Bordeaux is where the grape is most heavily planted.
United States
In the United States, Cabernet Sauvignon is most famous in California's Napa Valley, where it is the principal grape used in the production of premium red Bordeaux-style blends and varietal wines. The grape is also widely planted in the Washington State and Texas wine regions.
Australia
In Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon is planted extensively in the Margaret River, Coonawarra, and Barossa Valley wine regions.
Wine Styles
Cabernet Sauvignon wines are full-bodied with high tannins and noticeable acidity that contributes to the wine's aging potential. In cooler climates, Cabernet Sauvignon tends to produce wines with blackcurrant notes along with green bell pepper notes, mint and cedar which will all become more pronounced as the wine ages. In more moderate climates the blackcurrant notes are often seen with black cherry and black olive notes while in very hot climates the currant flavors can veer towards the over-ripe and "jammy" side.
Food Pairing
Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile food wine and can be paired with a multitude of dishes. It is a classic match with lamb and beef, and also does well with spicy foods. The high tannin content in Cabernet Sauvignon makes it a perfect match for rich, fatty foods that can be cut by the tannins, allowing the flavors of the food to come forward.