Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are one of the most widespread varieties in the world. This is due to its ability to adapt to most soils. In addition, it is one of the grapes with the highest oenological quality, which is why it produces complex wines, appreciated by lovers of good wines.

Among wine varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon could be the red grape most appreciated by wineries and winemakers. It is a variety that easily adapts to all types of soil and climates, being one of those with the greatest resistance to cold, which is why it is usually found in the countries of northern Europe. In addition, it is a type of grape with a great regularity in the harvest , which allows to obtain large vintages and some of the best types of red wine in the world.

What is the Cabernet Sauvignon grape like? 

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is the most traditional variety in France. This variety was created in the Bordeaux area, thanks to the cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. 

It is considered a representative variety of the Bordeaux area, where it has been grown since the Middle Ages and oenologists have labeled it a “premium variety”, thanks to the excellent quality of the grains and also of the wines obtained with them.

At the same time, it is one of the best known grape varieties in the world and goes by various names such as Vidure, Bordeaux or Carbouet.

What are its main characteristics?

The clusters of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape are small and cone-shaped, with uniform and not very compact berries. Once ripe, the grapes fall off easily, as they have a small peduncle with little lignification. 

The berries are small and round in shape, with very dark, almost blue skin and a large amount of bloom (the white layer that covers the grapes and is made up of yeast). It has thick skins and slightly colored pulp, without pigmentation in the early stages of growth. In this sense, the grape is hard and very juicy, with an intense herbaceous flavor .

The vines are very vigorous, tall and branched, late-growing and mid-ripening. It is resistant to rot and excoriosis and botrytis. However, it is sensitive to eutipiosis, mildew and powdery mildew, as well as wine mites and leafhoppers. It is also affected by droughts, which can slow down its maturation.

On the other hand, it adapts very well to almost all soils, although the lack of magnesium affects the formation of the fruits. It resists well in cold areas , thanks to its late ripening time. It also resists strong winds well. Its optimum maturation is obtained in gravelly soils, without excess water, with good exposure and light acidity.

The layout of Cabernet Sauvignon in the world

As we have explained before, it is one of the most widespread grape varieties in the world, only surpassed by the Chinese variety Kyoho, a table grape that is used only for eating. Thanks to its ability to adapt to most soils and climates, it is grown in France, Spain, Italy, Chile, Argentina, California and Australia, among others. In this sense, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety occupies a total of 341,000 hectares throughout the world, which represents 4% of the total number of vineyards in the world.

In Spain , the Cabernet Sauvignon grape has about 20,000 hectares , more or less 2.1% of the total area of ​​vineyards in the country. As it is a grape that is easy to adapt, harvests regularly and produces high quality wines, many Spanish Denominations of Origin are using it to make their wines and have made it a recommended variety.

Thus the Cabernet Sauvignon wine

Among the main characteristics of the wine produced by this strain, its intense, dark and very bright color stands out, with dry flavors and high tannins. 

The young wines have very strong aromas of raspberry, green pepper and rarely contain herbal notes reminiscent of green olives and mint. As for the low aromas, it offers reminiscences of scrubland and very balsamic aromatic herbs.

When maturing, they are very balanced and stable wines , with a broad tannin structure. Due to the quality of their grapes, they are ideal wines for aging, thanks to their thick skins from which many sweet flavors can be extracted, which favors longer aging times.

By aging in soft woods, such as oak, their wines obtain pleasant textures, very fine and with deep aromas reminiscent of chocolate, tobacco and carbon, but without losing their classic varietal perfume of currant and pepper. 

Cabernet Sauvignon wine tasting

In the glass, these are intense, full-bodied, heavy wines with thick tears. Intense ruby ​​color, with violet notes that evolve with aging and become brick-colored reflections.

In the first phase of the nose, the aromas of the variety shine, reminiscent of currant, plums and red fruits. When aged, it obtains notes of chocolate and tobacco and, if it ages poorly, the smell of pepper will predominate.

In the mouth it is hard, with flavors reminiscent of pine, cedar, graphite, pure chocolate and black olives. As it ages it becomes more structured, with a good palate and softer flavours.

In general, Cabernet Sauvignon wine is suitable to accompany tasty and fatty foods with strong flavors such as stews, stews, hot sauces, sauces and chocolates. In this sense, it is suitable for pairing with cheddar, camembert or emmental cheeses, as well as red meats and powerful rice dishes such as baked rice or paella with foie.