Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the worlds most planted grapes. The tough skins provide excellent resistance to rot and frost and make it easy for wine makers to handle the grape through the picking and transport stages. Due this high proportion of skin Cabernet Sauvignon provide a lot of tannins that deliver great depth and complexity of flavour. The downside of so much tannin is that the wine must be aged for it to mellow or the wine will taste harsh. This in turn has made blends of Cabernet Sauvignon with other grapes such as Merlot and Shiraz popular with wine makers throughout the world since when blended the Cabernet Sauvignon provides complexity but the need for long aging is reduced. High tannin wines also have an affinity for oak, which both mellows and compliments the taste and piquancy.

Cabernet Sauvignon is grown on every continent save Antarctica. Even though the grape is grown in many different soils and climates it maintains its distinctive taste a quality known in the trade a typicity. Although it is grown with success in Canada it traditionally likes warmer longer summers to ripen fully. In areas where it has to be harvested before peak ripeness can be achieved it is normally blended with other riper grapes. Harvesting early leads to an increase of green bell pepper taste, whereas allowing the grapes to overripe lends blackcurrant aromas and a jammy taste, both qualities are used advantageously in different styles of wines from around the world.

The origin of Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc likely came about some in time the 17^th century. This makes it a relative new comer to the viticultural world and marks its spread as a considerable achievement.

Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with mildly spiced foods and fatty meats and sauces, lamb and peppered steak being classic examples.

There are several good examples of Cabernet Sauvignon wine kits including Beaverdale's Cabernet Sauvignon, the Winexpert Reserve Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, and also a great blend in the Winexpert Reserve Australian Cabernet Shiraz