Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every wine-growing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley.
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Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to
demonstrate a handful of common character traits; deep color, good
tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato
leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon
has a large number of common blending partners.
Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes
Apart from the
obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are
Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic
Bordeaux Blend), Syrah/Shiraz (in Australia) and Tempranillo (in Spain
and South America). Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now
generally softened with Cabernet Sauvignon.
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