Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the wines which is famous for its qualities as the wine ages. The black current aroma of the grape makes it different from others , making it a hot attraction among wine growers. It is very widely and popularly distributed and is one of the best red wines produced in and around the region of California. Cabernet Sauvignon is produced popularly around the globe from a diverse range of temperatures that is, from the Sub temperate regions to the mid-western Tropical Regions. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are quite famous with the cultivators due to the fact that they have high immunity and resistance to degeneration(rot), sub zero temperatures(frost) and even to Infestations, which are a result of the grapes having a thick and tough layer of skin.


History

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape was first grown in the 18th century in the Bordeaux region in France. The massive spread of this grape came in the 1800’s when it was used to replant the phylloxera ravaged plantings in different parts of Europe. Thus this wine spread to various parts of the world. It was first grown outside Europe in Australia in the 1820s and today there are more than 25000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon plantings Down Under.

Synonyms

• Ÿ Petit Cabernet
• Ÿ Petit Vidure
• Ÿ Vidure
• Ÿ Uva Francese

Viticulture

Cabernet Sauvignon berries are thick, black and round in shape. The tough skin is an added advantage as it protects the grapes from insects and prevents it from being destroyed in harsh climate like the strong cold winds in the winter. The grapes ripen a little late as compared to the other wine grapes. The picking season starts from May and continues till the start of the Autumn. Unripe grapes have grassy flavour and texture and are not good in quality. He grapes grow best in soils which have good water holding capacity. The grapes cannot be cultivated in poorly drained soils. The small grapes of cabernet sauvignon are gentle and if not processed at the rite time loose their acidic content and aroma.

Pronunciation

Cah-bur-nay Saw-vee-Nyonh

Food Pairings

Cabernet Sauvignon tastes great when consumed with light dishes. The young wines have very limited options of food pairing however as the wine ages a large number of food pairing options are available. The bold flavoured Cabernet Sauvignon is also complimented with foods like chocolate, lamb chops, filet mignon and grilled steak. In Italy the combination of pasta with the wine is also famous.

Regions

France

The Bordeaux region in France is where the wine was first grown. As the climate of this region is harsh the harvest is not successful every year and thus the wine is blended with other drinks like Syrah. The grapes grown in this region are known for their high acidic content and low sugar content. The grapes are also known for their aromas and thus France is one of the best producers of this wine in the world. However the wines lack colour and the fruity characteristics associated with it. Outside Bordeaux the grapes are grown in areas like Lille and Loire Valley. The wine is also blended with other red wines grown in the Rhone valley.

Italy

The wine was first grown in the 1800s in the Piedmont region. As the grape was brought to Italy by the migrants it was looked upon with suspicion by the Italian cultivators. Hence, italy has a smaller area for Cabernet Sauvignon cultivation as compared to other wines grown in this country. The whine was used for blending with anoter wine called Nebbiolo. During the coming years wine producers also started blending it with the Barbera wine. The Tuscan wines which were produced in Italy were produced by blending with Cabernet Sauvignon as the wine increased the price and quality of the Tuscan wine.

Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon was firs grown in Australia in the 1970s in the Coonawarra region. The grapes grown here were of good quality and had a great aroma due to which wine production in Australia became famous in the international market. The banks of the Margaret River are also famous for growing the grapes. Due to its favourable climatic conditions the region sees a growth in its profits by 10-20% every year. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the second most planted wine in Australia.

Other Regions

Cabernet Sauvignon is also grown in other countries which have moist soil and climates which are not cold enough. It grows in the United States. IN the United States the New York, California and Virginia regions are famous for their Cabernet Sauvignon production. It is also produced in South American countries like Argentina, Peru, Uruguay and Bolivia.