Cabernet Sauvignon is the major grape of the famous
Bordeaux region of France, however, it is not the average consumer's
favorite red wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is a very small grape with one
of the highest skin to juice ratios with medium to high acidity and
strong black currant aromas and flavors with a high tannin level.
When produced as a single-variety, Cabernet Sauvignon
could be harsh and astringent, sour, quite dry and strongly flavored
with lots of tannin that may mask the favorable characteristics. More
producers are following the Bordeaux model of blending Cabernet Sauvignon
with softer, more subtle varieties such as Merlot in California or
Shiraz in Australia that smooths the hard edges giving an overall
more pleasant wine. There are however, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon examples
that have cassis character with mint or eucalyptus and bits of cedar
and thyme.
Cabernet Sauvignon- Dallas Bartenders
The aroma of Cabernet Sauvignon is sometimes characterized
by green peppers and its fruit is characterized by black currants.
The fine qualities of Cabernet Sauvignon are its ability to manifest
the unique characteristics of individual terroirs, vintages and winemaking
methods. The quality of the grape also shines through and evolves
through the effects of oak barrel aging and the continued evolvement
of flavors while aging in the bottle.
Classic growing areas: Bordeaux- France,
Northern and central Italy.
New growing areas: Southern France,
California, Washington State, Texas and New York. Western Australia,
South Australia and Victoria, Penedes and Ribera del Duero in Spain,
Maipo Valley in Chile and Mendoza in Argentina.
