1- Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Grapes

EL Cabernet Sauvignon or LA Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted varieties in the world, and if so, it is for a reason.

Because of its rusticity , its ability to adapt to different climates and soils, its resistance to cold , its regularity in the harvest and, of course, the quality of the grapes and the wines it produces.

The article describes all the characteristics of the variety, the grape, the vines, the wine, pairings… .in short, everything there is to know about Cabernet Sauvignon. I hope it’s of interest.

2- Description of the Cabernet Sauvignon variety

Variety of red wine  originating in the Bordeaux area (France) and whose origin is the  crossing  of Cabernet Franc with Sauvignon Blanc.

Traditional Bordeaux variety, considered a “premium” variety of the  highest quality.

It is one of the best known varieties in the  world.

Cabernet Sauvignon is also known by other names such as: Vidure, Bidure, Bordeaux, Carbouet.

3- Cabernet Sauvignon in the World

It is the most widespread red wine vineyard plant  in the world.

Grown  in France, Spain, Italy, Chile, California, Australia and Argentina mainly.

Worldwide, the  area  that Cabernet Sauvignon occupies is 341,000 Ha.

The cabernet is very widespread throughout the world, being the  second most planted red variety  (2015), after the Chinese variety Kyoho (table grape).

Of all the varieties planted in the world, Cabernet Sauvignon occupies the  tenth position in the world ranking  of planted vine varieties.

It occupies  4% of the total vineyard  in the world.

4- The Cabernet-Sauvignon in Spain

In Spain there are around 20,000 Ha  of this variety cultivated  , which represents around 2.1% of the total vineyard planted area .

In Spanish viticulture, a lot is being planted and there are some Denominations of Origin that admit it as a  recommended variety .

5- Characteristics of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape

Bunches

Very  small, conical in shape , of medium compactness and with very uniform berry size, with easy detachment of these ripening berries. Peduncle short and little lignified. Occasionally winged.

Berries

  • Small in size  , circular in section, with bluish epidermis, very dark, with much bloom.
  • Very thick skin.
  • With slightly colored pulp when ripening, not pigmented in its first stages from the aging process.
  • Hard and juicy, with an   intense herbaceous flavor .

6- Characteristics of the Cabernet sauvignon Strains

  1. Very vigorous and erect, branched, with many clusters, late blooming and mid-season maturation.
  2. It is a variety sensitive to euthypiosis.
  3. Sensitive to mildew and powdery mildew.
  4. Sensitive to cicadelids and mites.
  5. Quite resistant to the wood fungus complex , excoriation and especially botrytis.
  6. It is resistant to rot.
  7. Its maturation does not evolve well with marked droughts .
  8. It does not have special requirements in soils but it is sensitive to magnesium deficiency , which is associated with the desiccation of the rachis of the bunches.
  9. As it sprouts late , spring colds are well preserved .
  10. It resists the winds well .
  11. It is not very sensitive to drift .
  12. Early toppings induce the appearance of many suckers and abundant clusters, which is why their quality deteriorates.
  13. It requires long and guyot pruning for its adequate production.
  14. Its grafting on rootstocks that favor magnesium deficiency such as SO4 and 44-53 Malengue should be avoided.
  15. Very good results are obtained on gravel soils, without excess water, somewhat acidic and well exposed.
  16. The yield of this variety is between 2-14 tons per Ha, depending on the vigor of the vineyard.

7- What are the characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon wine?

  1. It produces musts of an intense , dark and very lively color, but austere and tannic.
  2. Its young wines have intense aromas of currant, green pepper and are also sometimes reminiscent of mint and freshly picked olives, as well as its aroma that reduces the smell of scrubland or aromatic herbs.
  3. It produces wines with a very interesting tannic structure and stable color if it reaches full maturity.
  4. Very suitable for aging . It has a very thick skin from which many sweet tannins are extracted, which allows its long aging.
  5. If the wood is soft, it gives wines of very pleasant texture and finesse , with aromas of chocolates, tobacco and partly pencil lead, but retaining its characteristic aroma of currant and sometimes pepper.
  6. Monovarietal wine may lack smoothness and roundness, which is why it is widely used with blends with other varieties such as Merlot or Syrah.

8- Wine tasting and organoleptic characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon

Visual phase

Intense , heavy wine , with samples of body, with intense dark red colors, ruby ​​with violet notes that evolve to brick color over time.

Olfactory Phase

The primary aromas of cabernet are currant, cherries, plums and red fruits. If it is passed through the barrel, the aromas of tobacco and chocolate appear.

The green pepper aroma is also typical of Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is associated (depends on the critic) with poor grape ripening or poor processing.

Taste Phase

It features flavors of pine, cedar, graphite, dark chocolate, and black olives.

With aging , it has a deep, velvety aroma, with a very good palate and structure.

Young wines are rough and hard , so aging in oak and bottle aging is recommended to tame their structure.

9- Cabernet pairing

In general, Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal to accompany it with full- bodied , tasty and fatty foods (beef or game meat), pasta with strong, spicy sauces, stews, stews and chocolates.

Some suggested dishes to combine with the Cabernet Sauvignon grape are:

  • Fatty cheeses like cambembert, cheddar cheeses, strong and mature cheeses like emmental.
  • All red meats in general, grilled meat, sausage, lamb, game meats …
  • Powerful rices such as baked rice, foie fideuá… full-bodied dishes.

Other interesting articles about wines in this blog:

Dr. Sofia Seccombe

My name is Dr. Sofia Seccombe, and in this small section, I want to tell you who I am and why I started this project. I don't want to bore you, but I consider that it is an important part of godlywine. It serves as an exercise in transparency so that the person who reads the articles can be sure that the information is reliable.

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