The accidental breeding of two grapes has given birth to one of the most popular red wines to date; the Cabernet Sauvignon. With high levels of tannin, it ages beautifully over the years, which is ideal for most wine lovers. To know more about Cabernet Sauvignon, read below.
What is a Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape variety. It is thick-skinned with a dark blue color. It has vast plantation throughout the world where wine grapes are popular but have a substantial plantation in Bordeaux.
It rooted in accidental breeding of the Cabernet Franc grape plant and white Sauvignon Blanc grape in the 17th century. It grows well in places with a warm climate and a sufficient amount of sunlight. It is also popular in California, more specifically in Napa Valley.
Its vibrant purple flavor profile matches well with the meats and steaks that it can be paired with. Although it is as alcoholic as other liquors, it can taste a lot better with age. It is late-flowering and late-ripening, thus maturing slowly.
Taste and Food Pairing
Cabernet Sauvignon is rich in flavor. It is known for its dark fruit flavor, baking spice flavor, and graphite. When underripe, it can taste like those green leafy vegetables you eat with salads. If it is ripe, then it will taste like dried fruit such as prunes and raisins. It also has a hint of vanilla flavor.
Its flavor will depend on the region where it was produced. Cabs from Bordeaux are in deep color red with high levels of tannin, which ages well. Cabs from Napa Valley have almost the same blend with the ones from Bordeaux, but for much lower prices. Those from colder regions produces wines with slight mint and pepper flavor. Those from warmer regions taste like fruits.
Cabernet Sauvignon is high in tannin, which naturally exists in the seeds, skin, and stem of the grapes. A wine with high tannins is bitter and astringent. To cut tannin, you should pair it with food that has fat and protein.
Red meat is the best food you can pair with Cabernet Sauvignon. It is an ideal pair for steaks, burgers, short ribs, sausages, and lamb veal. And since it has earthy flavor elements, it will also pair well with dishes with mushrooms. It can also match well with strong-flavored cheeses and chocolate-based dishes.
Cabernet Sauvignon wines to try
The best wine will depend on your preference. From expensive bottles to cheaper alternatives, there will always be a Cabernet Sauvignon wine for everyone. Below are the Cabs to try depending on the price range.
- Screaming Eagle Cabernet 1998 ($2,495). A bottle of 1998 Screaming Eagle wine consists of well-crafted, ruby-colored wine. It has lovely aromas of minerals, cassis, and smoke. It is best served as a mid-palate and as a finish.
- Columbia Crest Grand Estates ($9). It is easy to find and cheap. It boasts of cherry and strawberry flavor, with a touch of mocha. It tastes good with any pasta, like lasagna or pasta with red sauce.
- Heitz 2012 Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($85). This wine came from Napa Valley. It has a hint of coffee and dark cherry flavor around its acidic and oak flavor.
- Mad Housewife 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon (13). It has a balanced cherry and raspberry flavor, but not stored in an oak barrel. It is smooth to taste with low levels of tannin.
- Montes ($10). It is from Chile, one of the makers of cheap Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s not as strong as expensive Cabs, which makes it smoother to taste with a scent of ripe berry, and a hint of vanilla.
- McManis Cabernet Sauvignon ($10). It is rated a reliable yet affordable Cabernet Sauvignon from California. It is an easy-drinking wine with flavors of dark fruit and a hint of mocha.
- Leese-Fitch 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($12). This is the type of wine you can drink easily. It has various fruit flavors, such as cherry, blackberry, and plum. It also has a hint of chocolate flavor and baking spice.
- Noble Vines 337 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($13). This is a complex wine from California with flavors of blackberry, baking spice, cranberry, and herb flavor. It has high levels of tannins.
- Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($50). This is deep ruby in color with flavors of red cherry, black cherry, blackberry, and sweet spice. It has smooth tannins.
- Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($99.99). The grapes used in this wine are prime-sourced from a seven-estate vineyard lot. It is aged for 16 years in oak, with black fruit flavor with hints of pepper and spice.
- Rutherford ($210). The flavor of this wine is real red fruit, not like the other Cabs that have heavy dark fruit colors. The owner of this wine wanted a wine that was lighter and had a low alcohol level. Thus, this wine was born.
Takeaway
There’s no drink classier to pair your food with than a good red wine – Cabernet Sauvignon at that. A glass of this well-loved vino will surely leverage your dining or party experience. You can even indulge in it as a form of relaxation. If you haven’t had a sip of this Cab, it’s about time that you do.