Cabernet Sauvignon And Lamb Chops
Lamb Chops are a fatty cut of meat and pack a lot of flavour, allowing the dish to hold up to the bold and rich flavours of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Lamb chops are also gamy, so if you dont appreciate the gaminess, the ripe plum, cassis and blackberry flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon are perfect for masking that gaminess. Meanwhile, the earthy, herbal and chocolate flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon are excellent with the caramelized crust of a Lambchop. Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia and California are known for their mint flavours, which is perfect as we all know how mint jelly goes great with Lamb Chops.
In a lot of instances, quite a bit of fat is cut off from Lamb Chops before cooking. Otherwise, the Lamb Chops might taste sinewy and tough. In this instance, go for an aged Cabernet Sauvignon. Even though Lamb Chops are flavourful, a young Cabernet Sauvignon is much too tannic, and there wont be enough fat in a trimmed piece of Lamb Chops to smooth out the wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon Food Pairing: Sandwiches
Steak and cheese with Cabernet Sauvignon
It goes without saying that Cabernet Sauvignon really shines when it accompanies red meat. That is where its tannins work miracles. For that reason, any sandwich with steak makes a great companion to Cab. And if you also add lots of cheese, you have the best of all worlds! Im craving a Philly cheese steak so bad now!
Classic Cheeseburger and Cabernet Sauvignon
A classic burger is awesome with Cabernet Sauvignon for the many reasons listed about but a
Lamb Burger with Cabernet Sauvignon is delightful!
Cabernet Sauvignon Etiquette: The Worst Mistakes
The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors.
A high score means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. More about the Rude Index and its methodology here.
Avoid the worst Cabernet Sauvignon etiquette mistakes.
- 10/10. Getting drunk.
- 7/10. Pairing Cabernet Sauvignon with delicate aromas.
- 6/10. Not holding the glass by the stem.
- 5/10. Adding ice.
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Classic Napa Cabernet Food Pairings
When in doubt, hearty dishes almost always pair well with Napa Cabernet, whether the producer was influenced by New-World or Old-World winemaking techniques. Thats because Napa Valley is a relatively warm winegrowing region that produces very ripe grapes. The Cabernet grape is also thick-skinned and naturally very acidic. In the warm Napa sun, the fruit develops concentrated flavors, resulting in wines that are often quite intense on the palateboth sweet and acidic. For this reason, many wine enthusiasts prefer to serve their best wines with a flavorful meal that wont get completely overpowered. You will also want to consider tannin levels when you look for the perfect Napa Cabernet food pairing. Most of these wines are very tannic, especially in their youth. Fatty dishes are an ideal pairing for young Napa wines with prominent tannins, as the bitter tannin is a compelling contrast against sweet fats and oils.
With this in mind, here are a few classic Napa Cabernet food pairings you should try at your next meal:
Generally, when pairing a Napa Cab with food, you cant go wrong with earthy herbs, fatty cheeses, hearty red meats, buttery carbs, or semisweet desserts. These are classics for a reason. If youre looking for Napa Cabernet food pairings that are a little less expected, however, take a look at the recommended pairings below.
What Food Pairs With Cabernet Sauvignon
A first little pointer before we start, but in case you were worried about mispronouncing, Cabernet Sauvignon, a French based word is pronounced Cab-er-nay Saw-vin-yawn. Now back to business, as we find out What Foods pair with Cabernet Sauvignon.Within this article, we will be answering the all-important question of what food pairs with Cabernet Sauvignon. But first, let us tell you a bit about the wine itself as we discuss the typical flavours, its origin,and the best climates for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
1https://www.wineselectors.com.au/selector-magazine/wine/know-your-variety-cabernet-sauvignon
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When To Serve & Drink Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon wines are great to accompany a meal or as after-dinner drinks. They can fit well both formal and informal occasions. Such as a formal dinner or a drinking party.
However, Cabernet Sauvignon wines may be too bold and full-bodied for pre-meal drinks or a light meal. For the same reasons, it is best to avoid serving them in warm weather.
Cabernet Sauvignon can match an important meat course or cheese platter during a meal.
How To Prepare Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon wines benefit from decanting. The contact with the oxygen makes the texture and flavors of the wine more gentle to the palate.
Before serving, pour the full bottle of wine into a decanter. Then, let the wine breathe. The amount of time needed for decanting depends on the wine and on personal tastes. However, Cabernet Sauvignon wines tend to be very full-bodied. Thus, it is best to let them breathe for at least 30 or 60 minutes.
You do not need to cool Cabernet Sauvignon wines before serving.
Avoid chilling glasses in the fridge. The condensation waters down the wine and dilutes its taste.
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California Cabernet Sauvignon: The Next Strongholds
Calistoga: This famous part of Napa Valley recently received AVA status after years of political wrangling.
Coombsville: An overlooked area east of Napa.
Happy Canyon: The Santa Ynez Valley’s warm eastern edge is great for robust reds.
Red Hills: Its climate and volcanic soils are great for Cabernet.
What Snacks Pair Well With Cabernet Sauvignon
Vinomofo
You love cabernet? We do too! The making of cabernet sauvignon wines was the result of a chance crossing between cabernet franc with sauvignon blanc grape varieties .
This happened in the 17th Century.
The supple flavours and aroma of cabernet sauvignon range from heavy fruits such as cherry, blackberry and raspberry, to complex woody and peppery undertones.
At present, this red grape variety is one of the most widely grown grape varieties of the world. So we thought we would pair the the most popular grape with the best snacks.
You’re welcome.
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Roasted Squab & Aged Cabernet Sauvignon Pairing
A refined aged Cabernet Sauvignon is outstanding with Squab. Squab is a lean meat and should not be overcooked for this pairing to work, as you dont want to lose any of the tender flavours. When paired with an aged Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine adds juicy flavours of cassis and blackberry to this dish, adding an incredible amount of decadence. Youll also get delicious flavours of mocha, tobacco, vanilla, and chocolate notes, which complement the squabs roasted skin. Youll also get hints of herbs and spice in Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a natural pair with any seasonings accompanying your Squab.
This pairing wont work with a young Cabernet Sauvignon, so dont even think about it! Young Cabernet Sauvignon packs too much of a tannic bite, which will overwhelm the delicate Squab flavours.
The Origins Of Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is indigenous to the Gironde department, home to the Bordeaux region in Southwest France. It was created by an accidental cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc around the mid-1750s.
The grape quickly became well-loved by vignerons looking for high-quality, easy-to-grow grape varieties with thick and durable skin.
Conveniently, Bordeaux is located near the Atlantic coast and frequented by merchants prompting swift international attention. Cabernet Sauvignon became widely recognized and enjoyed by wine and food enthusiasts worldwide.
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Cabernet Sauvignon With Red Meat
What is the best food pairing with Cabernet Sauvignon? The obvious answer would be steak and french fries. In fact, almost all red meats pair well with this grape variety. Beef, lamb, pork, burgers, brisket, ribs They all work with a glass of a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon. Especially fatty meats and any meat served rare will match this wine because of its high acidity and high tannins.
Especially Cabernet Sauvignon from the new world, including California, Australia and Chile, tends to work very well with heavy meat dishes. The powerful and rich style of the wines from these regions is perfect to balance the richness in the meaty dishes.
Tips! Cabernet Sauvignon is a great pairing with BBQ food. The fruitiness and hint of spice in the wine goes well with smokey flavors and BBQ sauces.
How To Store Cabernet Sauvignon
Store Cabernet Sauvignon in a cool place. Keep the bottle away from direct light. Either natural or artificial. Store the bottle far from any source of heat. You can store Cabernet Sauvignon in your cellar for over 10 years.
Place the bottle in a horizontal position, to keep the cork moist. Dry corks might let the oxygen in and spoil the wine.
Do not store it in the fridge or in the freezer.
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Heres My Advice On Pairing Different Styles Of Cabernet With Cheese:
- Young cabernet with light tannins: choose aged cheesesgreat options are included above for cheddar and gouda, Pecorino-style sheeps cheese and goat.
- Older cabernet with soft tannins: choose semi-firm cows milk cheeses, such as aged cheddars, aged goudas, sheeps milk cheeses and Comté.
- Big, rich cabernets: choose intense cheddar cheeses and aged Gruyère
- Wines with a long finish, such as cabernet sauvignon, demand cheeses with complex flavors that can stand up to that finish, and aged cheddars tend to be the best pairing for various styles of cabernet sauvignon. When in doubt, choose aged cheddar for cabernet.
Jordan maintains one of the most comprehensive cellars of Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon library vintages in California. Explore their collection of new release and library cabernets, available to purchase online.
View the top cabernet and cheese pairings at the end of this Jordan Winery blog post.
Serving Suggestions For Cabernet Sauvignon
To fully enjoy your Cabernet Sauvignon food pairing, make sure you are serving it properly. Every wine lover that aims for the perfect taste must ensure the Cabernet Sauvignon is decanted before they serve it. This will open up the wine and also remove sediment that may have settled at the bottom of the bottle. I personally like this shape decanter for Cabernet.
Generally speaking, red wines are served way too warm. For optimal tasting, put the bottle in the fridge for about 10 minutes before you serve it. Make sure youre storing your wines correctly.
Cabernet Sauvignon is an age-worthy wine. Most Cabs can age for at least a couple of years. The high concentration of tannins ensures the wine will only get better. As a rule of thumb, if you paid more than $40 for a bottle, the wine can safely age for at least 5 years.
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Goat Cheese And Olive Bruschetta
Everyone loves the garden-fresh taste of bruschetta. Now you can give this classic dish an edge with the salty, tangy, and complex flavors of goat cheese and olives. This dish isnt just a delectable appetizer. Its also the perfect pair for a dry, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon! The tannins of the wine give this earthy bruschetta recipe new coherence. You cant go wrong when you treat dinner guests to this upscale pair.
What To Pair With Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich full-bodied dry red wine traditionally from Bordeaux. It is the offspring of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, originating at some point in the 17th century. This wine is most commonly from Bordeaux or Napa Valley and offers an earthy taste that goes best with savory foods.
This wine is known for aging well in comparison to other wines. When Cabernet Sauvignon is young it holds a dense, rich purple coloring. As it ages it turns to a rusty orange. Upon drinking, if you choose to decant Cabernet Sauvignon, aim for roughly two hours to open up the desired notes through oxidation and allow sediment to sink to the bottom.
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Charcuterie And Cheese Board
A well-styled charcuterie and cheese board alongside a Cabernet Sauvignon can be a delicious pairing. The important information to note is the meats and cheeses used on the boards. When pairing wine with a charcuterie or cheeseboard the flavors should be neither overpowering nor contrasting to the selected wine.
Why It Pairs Well:
- Accentuates tannins in the wine
- Helps to expand the body of the wine
- Can broaden and complement fruit flavors in the wine
How To Pair Cabernet Sauvignon
Matthew Lorman
I rarely classify myself as a meat and potatoes kind of guy. However, when I am sitting in front of a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and a steak dinner I am the first one to dive in. There is just something so comforting about a big, bold, and beautiful red wine paired with a simple meal. Throw in some roasted asparagus and a red wine reduction sauce, and I am in gastronomic paradise.
Pairing Cabernet Sauvignon with food starts off simple enough. The principle of pairing big wines with heavier dishes comes to mind. Cabernet Sauvignon is usually medium to full-bodied, with higher levels of tannins compared to other red wines. This grape can be made into a variety of wine styles. Without overgeneralizing too much, there are two major styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, single varietal wines and blends.
Despite being made from the same grape variety, these wines vary in taste, style, and you guessed it, food pairings. Here are some of my favorite things to eat alongside a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Whether you are a meat and potatoes kind of person, you prefer to skip the meat, or are just looking for something to snack on, there is a Cabernet Sauvignon wine pairing for you!
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Cabernet Sauvignon With Cheese
What cheese is good with Cabernet Sauvignon? The short answer is: Cheddar. Rich wines like Cabernet Sauvignon need savory cheeses full of flavour that can stand up to the tannins and structure in the wine. In addition to aged cheddar, Manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano and Pecorino will also pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon. These cheeses all have salty and savory flavours that pair wonderfully with full-bodied red wines.
Tips! If you want to know more about different types of cheese and their perfect wine pairings, you can read about it in our wine and cheese guide.
How To Serve & Present Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon wines usually taste better between 16°C and 20°C . Cooler temperatures prevent the wine from releasing its aroma. Thus, do not put the bottle in the fridge. Similarly, do not keep the bottle in an ice bucket.
Present Cabernet Sauvignon in its bottle or in the decanter. On formal occasions, it is best to present the wine in its bottle, even if you let it decant first. After decanting, pour the wine back into its bottle using a small kitchen funnel.
Hold the bottle , never by its neck or cork. Serve Cabernet Sauvignon in red wine glasses, which are larger and wider compared to white wine glasses. Fill the glass between and ½.
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Simple Meatballs And Cabernet Sauvignon Pairing
Recipe courtesy Jonathon Sawyer, chef/owner, Trentina, Cleveland
If youre looking for a dish to pair with your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon look no further than these simple meatballs. Filled with fresh herbs and stuffed with two types of cheese, this recipe pairs perfectly with this rich red wine.
Why it works: Robust and fruit-forward Cabs are best for meatballs and any red sauce dishes. The bright acidity of the wine should match the acidity of the tomatoes, but should also be firmly structured enough to match this recipe.
- 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
- 2 cups, plus 2 tablespoons, cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 cups diced bread or breadcrumbs
- 2 large organic eggs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons sliced Italian herbs
- 1 pound ground pork
- Dusting of organic all-purpose flour, as needed
- 2 cups favorite tomato sauce
Directions
In small saucepan over low heat, sauté onion, garlic and red pepper in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook slowly, covered, stirring occasionally.
In a large bowl, soak breadcrumbs in enough water to cover for 1 minute. Strain out excess liquid.
In a separate large bowl, beat eggs, then add ricotta, Parmesan, sautéed onion mixture and herbs. Mix thoroughly. Add meat and soaked breadcrumbs. Wearing gloves, mix meat and breadcrumbs with hands. Season with salt and pepper.
Shape mixture into balls slightly larger than golf ball. Refrigerate meatballs until chilled to ensure more even searing.
Pair It
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Cabernet Sauvignon Food Pairing
What kind of food goes with Cabernet Sauvignon? This food pairing guide will tell you the answer. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular wine in the world and with the right food it will taste even more delicious.
With its characteristic aromas of black fruit aromas, herbs and spice, Cabernet Sauvignon pairs very well with a wide range of rich dishes. Steak is probably the most famous pairing with Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are many other great pairings to this classic wine. In this guide you will find everything you need to know about Cabernet Sauvignon food paring.
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How To Buy The Best Cabernet Sauvignon
A crucial factor in Cabernet Sauvignon etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.
Availability
Cabernet Sauvignon wines are available all year round.
Choose the best
To choose your ideal Cabernet Sauvignon, the safest choice is to buy wines from an established wine region. In Europe, look for wines from Bordeaux and Medoc in France, or Piedmont and Tuscany in Italy.
Cabernet Sauvignon from new world wine regions is increasingly popular and of high quality. Such wines tend to be lighter in body and with a fruitier aroma. Try wines from the states of Washington and California in the USA, Argentina, Chile, and Australia.
Alternatives to Cabernet Sauvignon
You can substitute Cabernet Sauvignon with red wines that have a comparable body and aroma profile. Try Shiraz or Tempranillo.
