My Favourite Red Wine Is Cabernet Sauvignon What Are Some Similar Styles
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If youre a fan of cabernet sauvignon, youre not alone. The grape responsible for some of the most famous wines on the planet is also the most widely planted grape variety.
As interest in wine boomed, plantings of cabernet sauvignon spread through the world. Emerging regions looked to established wine grapes to help build a consumer audience and cabernet sauvignon benefited greatly an estimated 5 per cent of the worlds vineyards are planted with cabernet sauvignon vines with the result being an abundance of underripe green expressions of cabernet as well as overripe jammy ones.
Suggesting an alternative to such a popular variety is a challenge for several reasons. Theres a question about which style of cabernet we are looking to replace? In California, wines labelled as cabernet sauvignon can include up to 25 per cent of other grape varieties, which can really transform the aroma and flavour profile. Other parts of the world, including Canada, require 85 per cent of the grape variety listed on the label in the blend.
Here are three alternatives that are ready to be discovered by cabernet lovers.
The Origins Of Cabernet Sauvignon
The original source of this beloved wine remained shrouded in mystery for many years. The truth was not discovered until the late 1990s, when researchers discovered that the wine originated in a crossing of two varieties of grapes during the 17th century. These varieties were known as Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, thus creating the wine that we know and love today.
The grape which makes Cabernet Sauvignon is well known for its ability to withstand a myriad of environmental conditions, and as a result, this vine thrives in a number of locations without regard for soil conditions. In fact, this durability of the vine played a role in the wines discovery, with French producers choosing varieties that could withstand the ever-changing climate of the region. This also explains why the vines have been so successful all over the world.
How Cabernet Sauvignon Is Aged
Cabernet Sauvignon produces some of the most age-worthy wines in the world. Cab loves oak its such a bold wine that its almost impossible for oak to be intrusive. Instead, oak can really work wonders to round out the rough edges of young Cabernet Sauvignon.
French, American, and Hungarian oak all work well with Cab and its rare that oak isnt used. High-end Bordeaux and high-end Napa Cabs can age for decades, and even less expensive Cabernets can age for a bit. While we dont necessarily recommend hanging on to an inexpensive wine for years they are, after all, meant to be drunk young with Cab, it could be a fun experiment just to see what happens.
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History Of Cabernet Sauvignon
The origins of this variety of grape were unknown till the year 1996, where a group of wine researchers discovered the Cabernet Sauvignon origin. During the 17th century, in Frances southwest region, a Sauvignon blanc grape plant and a red Cabernet Franc grape plant were bred by mistake, creating the most popular grape throughout the world.
This accidental discovery leads to Cabernet Sauvignon history, and soon it was adopted in many parts of France. It became famous as it was easier to grow and much more durable. Soon, it became the champion in this region. The perfect levels of tannins allowed them to age wonderfully. It was also evident that these grapes aged beautifully in oak as they introduced new flavors to the wine.
Due to the proximity of Bordeaux with the ocean, it became more accessible to trading ships, unlike the other islands, Therefore, making this wine more popular.
Best Regions For Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux
The birthplace of Cabernet Sauvignon remains a significant production site for the classic version of Cab. Centuries of wine knowledge and tradition come together to deliver this exceptional result for which every wine lover is grateful. It is blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and smaller amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot to make classic Bordeaux wines.
California
Every since the Judgement of Paris, Cabernet Sauvignon exploded in California. Basically, a bottle of Napa Cabernet beat out the best French wines in a blind tasting, solidifying Napas spot on the wine map. Since that fateful day in 1976, Napa Cab has become THE wine of the United States. In Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon has a bit more oak character and a higher tannic structure. Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is off the charts expensive, but worth it for a special wine dinner.
The rest of California
Californias mild winters and warm summers make it an ideal spot to grow Cabernet Sauvignon. Its the most planted grape variety and every year its acreage goes up and up. Cabernet Sauvignon from other California AVAs are better values compared to the famous Napa producers.
Chile
Following Cabernet Sauvignons popularity in the new world, Chile is one of the best regions to choose from. Vineyards all over Chile produce a softer version of Cabernet Sauvignon that is exceptionally budget-friendly.
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Recipe: Grilled Ribeye With Chimmichurri And Grilled Vegetables
Everyone likes their steak cooked a certain way, although for this pairing you might want to fire up the grill. The smoky charcoal flavor on your meat is a great counterpoint to the ripe fruit, smoke, and herbal notes of your cab.
Chimichurri is a South American sauce similar to pesto but instead of basil, parsley makes up the majority of this sauce. Across South America, chimichurri is served over grilled beef or placed on the side to be enjoyed with grilled vegetables and potatoes.
This recipe makes enough for two people.
Ingredients
-
Pepper to taste
Directions
Start by tossing your potatoes in olive oil, salt, and pepper and throwing them in the oven at 350 degrees. Depending on the freshness of your potatoes, they could take anywhere from 20 to 45 min so its important to get them going first.
You may need to be flexible when cooking the ribeye. The thickness of your cut will influence how fast the ribeye cooks, as will the temperature and type of grill you cook it on. For a one-inch thick ribeye on a 400-degree grill, you would want to cook the steak for about 5 minutes on each side.
Many people think that a good cut of meat should always be cooked to medium-rare. That is not the case with a ribeye. You are better off cooking your ribeye to medium rather than medium-rare because at that stage the fat in the ribeye begins to render, eliminating the chewy gristle that happens when the meat is cooked to medium-rare.
Cabernet Sauvignon: The Beginners Guide
Cabernet Sauvignon is the worlds most popular red wine grape known for its durable skin, thickness, and the vines resistance to the elements. It was accidental breeding, which occurred in the seventeenth century between a white Sauvignon Blanc grape plant and a red Cabernet Franc grape plant.
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What Should Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Like
Posted on:Jameson
Seems like a pretty basic question, huh? An iconic and omnipresent red wine grape like Cabernet Sauvignon should be pretty easy to identify taste-wise.
Yet both winemaker and wine drinker have a wide variety of ideas on what Cabernet Sauvignon should give you in the glass and in your drinking hole. Taste is subjective, after all. So let me insert I think between the what and the should.
Well, thats really presumptuous to make myself the arbiter of Cabernet Sauvignon taste. Who cares what a pasty, balding, melancholy blogger thinks? I am not 100 points. How about this instead:
Is The Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Profile For You
Cabernet sauvignon produces a bold red wine with blackcurrant and dark berries, hints of mint, green pepper, pencil shavings, and baking spices. Its ideal for anyone who likes full-on flavor from their wine and isnt scared of some tannins and the flavors that come with oak contact.
Wine drinkers today can explore a diverse range of cabernet sauvignon wines. From the more fruit-forward styles of California, to the more savory offerings of Bordeaux, to the earthy and spicy wines of Chile. There really is something for everyone within the broad cabernet sauvignon style.So, if the cabernet sauvignon taste profile sounds like your ideal drinking buddy, go forth and drink great wine.
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A Taste Of Cabernet Sauvignon
Why is Cabernet Sauvignon so popular?It is the complete package: elegance, power, complexity, consistency, acidity, and aging. Even Cabernet Sauvignons that dont reach those heights are dependable and high-quality.
What is the origin of Cabernet Sauvignon?Cabernet Sauvignon translates to wild cabernet in French. It is a natural cross between red grape Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc from Médoc in Bordeaux.
When did Cabernet Sauvignon arrive in South Africa?It is uncertain when Cabernet Sauvignon arrived in South Africa, but in the 1920s it was identified as a cultivar that produces good quality wine. The rest is history as they say!
What about terroir?It is known to thrive in a variety of soil types and climates and certainly influences the taste of the wine. Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards can be found in Stellenbosch, the Swartland, Tulbagh and up to Robertson.
When do we harvest Cabernet Sauvignon?Cabernet Sauvignon is the last to bud and ripen in the season and we harvest it as late as the end of March. If the grapes are anything less than fully ripe, the wine can smell of crushed green leaves, more like cabernet franc.
What is the taste profile?A typical taste profile is high in acidity and tannin, with medium to full body and black fruit notes of black berry, vegetable notes of green pepper and spicy notes of vanilla when aged in oak.
On the nose, you are met with dark notes of black cherry, cassis, and liquorice which make the mouth water instantly.
Biology Of The Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignons parentage was a long-held mystery, with some believing it was a native French wild vine to an ancient grape from Rome. In 1996, with the magic of modern DNA testing, it was found to be the love child of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, hence the common name Cabernet Sauvignon we know today. It possesses certain characteristics of each parent, from the dark fruit notes from the Cabernet Franc to the grassy, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc.
Viticulture: About the Grapevine
The vine itself grows well in most soil conditions, however, gravel-based vines that are well-drained tend to radiate more heat to the vine and fruit, aiding the ripening process. Clay and limestone soils hold on to that heat, delaying the ripening process. In hotter climates, the less fertile the soil the better, as the vine is forced to store nutrients and root deeper into the ground to look for water. This can produce lower grape yields, but the flavour concentration of the fruit is higher. Generally, the vine is prone to high yields that can sometimes result in less flavourful fruit. Wineries, particularly in cooler climates, have to be prudent in their pruning practises, to ensure the vines are properly balanced with the appropriate amount of foliage to fruit ratio.
Viticulture: About the Grape
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Cabernet Sauvignon Food Pairing
I will always say you should eat whatever you enjoy with your wine. Its your wine and your food after all.
But lets look at some ideas if youre looking to pair cab sauv with food:
Its a full-bodied red wine with intense fruit and savory notes, high tannins, and medium to high acidity. Looking at each of these characteristics in turn allows us to build a complete picture of what pairs well with the cabernet sauvignon taste profile. For even more information on what makes the perfect food pairing for cab sauv, check out our full article here.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Flavor Profile
If you had to make a list of some of the most popular red wine varieties today, Cabernet Sauvignon would absolutely be right at the top. This grape is found in just about every country in the world that produces wine.
Its available in a wide range of climates ranging from the hot temperatures of Australia to the colder weather of Canada.Italy, California, South America you name it, youll find a country where Cabernet Sauvignon is produced.
At one point, it was the most commonly planted red wine grape in the world until Merlot took its title in the 1990s.
As is true with most other wines, Cabernet Sauvignon can be an acquired taste but its also one youll be glad you did.
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Best Under $: 2017 Flat Top Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California | ABV: 13.5% | Tasting Notes: Strawberry, Jasmine, Violet
Under the banner of the famed Mondavi winemaking family comes this delicious and mercifully affordable cabernet, which combines the robust flavors of grapes sourced from Paso Robles and the Monterey coast to Yolo County. Because of its rich flavor, this bottle offers great value.
Fruity and spicy, this wine has notes of vivid wild-berry and red fruit strawberries, along with herbaceous aromas of jasmine and violets. Expect easy-drinking soft fruit with good juicy acidity and smooth tannins. It even pairs wonderfully with a rare burger.
Region: Napa Valley, California | ABV: 14.2% | Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Blackberry, Dark Chocolate
If you want to experience a cabernet under $50 that encapsulates the style of the grape when expertly grown in new-world environs, this is it. Crafted by husband-and-wife duo Catherine and Travis Vale, barrel-fermented and aged in French oak, this affordable wine is treated like triple-digit royalty and is perfect for accompanying your more relaxing moments.
With bright raspberry and red cherry notes, this is a medium-bodied wine with gentle tannins and sweet red fruit, fresh-pressed blackberries and gobs of dark chocolate, along with a spicy finish.
What Is Cabernet Sauvignon
Often called “Cab” for short, Cabernet Sauvignon is a hybrid of the red Cabernet Franc grape and white Sauvignon Blanc grape. Also known as Petit-Bouchet, Petit-Cabernet, and Sauvignon Rouge, the black-skinned Cabernet Sauvignon grape is renowned for its thick skin, resilience against the elements, and ability to proliferate in a variety of climates.
It’s grown in nearly every wine-producing country in a range of climates. Some of the most notable wine regions include France , California , Washington state , Italy , Australia , Chile , Argentina, South Africa, and New Zealand.
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Cabernet Sauvignon Grape From Croatia
Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape that originated in France, but there are now vineyards in Croatia growing this grape and making their own version of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Croatian version is usually a bit lighter and fruitier than the French version, with aromas of blackberries and cherries.
De tannins are also less intense, making it a more accessible wine for those who normally don’t like Red wine to hold. If you’re looking for a unique Cabernet Sauvignon to try, be sure to try some from Croatia!
Important ampelographic featuresBlad: round, with five to seven lobes deeply incised petiole overlapped moderately hairy undersidebunch of grapes: medium size conical loose to moderately compact berries has wings grapes are round with a blue-black color
Maturation time: very late
The Influence Of Maturation On Bottle Design
The taste and color of Cabernet Sauvignon wines changes over time. Once bottled, they keep well and will usually improve over time. Young wines, which are consumed shortly after bottling, have a high concentration of tannins and acids.
They are usually rough and strong, with predominant flavors of black fruit and a deep red color. With aging, the tannins softer and the wine gets more depth. The aromaPhotos of black fruit turn into scents of dried fruit, leather, tobacco, spices and cedar. The color gets warmer and changes from deep red to ruby red.
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Hallmarks Of Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Profile
The typical taste profile of Cabernet Sauvignon is high acidity, high tannin and medium to full body with black fruit notes of black cherry, vegetal notes of green pepper, and spice notes of vanilla from oak aging.
Look for Cabernet Sauvignon from these top regions:Bordeaux, France Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Labeled BordeauxNapa Valley, California Labeled Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux Blend or Left Bank Blend. The blends mimic the Bordeaux blends of Cab and Merlot from France.
Learn more about the history, top regions, wine recommendations, and pairings with this in depth page about Cabernet Sauvignon.
Why Does Cabernet Sauvignon Taste So Good
This type of wine is very popular and offered almost everywhere mostly because so many people love it. The reason behind it is that Cabernet Sauvignon tends to linger on your palate for a longer time. This helps you taste different wine components within the wine as well as increases the intensity of the next sip. Its also dry, which makes it a nice drink for every occasion as it doesnt overpower you with its sweetness.
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Best Classic: Chteau Cos Destournel Saint
courtesy of bordeauxtradition.com
Region: Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France | ABV: 13.5% | Tasting Notes: Cassis, Graphite, Chocolate-covered cherries
Whether it’s a genre-defining hip-hop album or a seminal Hitchcock film, sometimes you just need to go back to the old-school offerings to make sense of the new stuffand it’s hard to imagine a more classic interpretation of cabernet sauvignon than Château Cos dEstournel. “This famous estate can trace its winemaking roots back to 1811, and was classified as a second growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, making it one of the elite producers of the region,” says Coppi. “It is a an absolutely stunning wine with the blend consisting of predominantly cabernet sauvignon along with merlot and a splash of cabernet franc.”
As is the case with any serious Bordeaux, some patience is necessary if you want the wine to express its true potential. “In their youth, these are monolithic, muscular, powerhouse wines,” says Coppi. “After a decade or more of cellar aging, the complex layers and nuance of the wine unfold in the glass leather, tobacco, cassis, violets, graphite, black tea, stewed plums, chocolate covered cherries, and coffee are framed by silky tannins and fresh acidity.” It’s an old-school track worth waiting for.
