Cabernet Sauvignon – The
World Traveler
Cabernet
Sauvignon is the world's most known grape variety. Grown in most of the major
wine producing regions, it’s best known as the main grape of Bordeaux, the Napa
Valley and more recently much of Australia. Its origins are in Bordeaux, where
winemakers learned in the 17th Century that if you cross Cabernet Franc and
Sauvignon Blanc, you end up with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon Grown?
The
short answer - almost everywhere. It was the most popular red variety for most
of the 20th century and can be found across the globe. Over half a
million acres of vineyard are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. The top yielding
countries are France, the United States, and Italy. Although production is
widespread, there are a handful of wine regions where “King Cab” has created a
lasting legacy.
France - Cabernet
Sauvignon owes its fame to Bordeaux's Left Bank where vintners create elegant,
age-worthy wines, and have for centuries. Winemakers in Bordeaux blend Cabernet
Sauvignon with other grapes (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot)
to make those distinctive, world-famous, (and expensive) wines. And while
Bordeaux is the most recognized French region for the grape, it is planted in
different parts of the country. You can find Cabernet Sauvignon in the Loire
Valley and Southern France.
Italy – Cabernet
Sauvignon was brought to Italy in the 1820s where it was used (illegally) for
blending purposes in the Piedmont region. As it spread across the country, some
regions rejected it while others embraced it. One area hospitable to the grape
was Tuscany, where a bit of a scandal occurred in the 1970s. Ignoring the
regulatory laws designating the percentages of grapes used in blends, several
winemakers produced “Super Tuscans” with an unauthorized amount of Cabernet
Sauvignon. At first, the government prohibited this new blending technique,
but eventually, as the wines proved to match the quality of traditional wines,
succumbed to the wave of demand. Now, the “Super Tuscan” blends have become
world renowned.
The United States - Cabernet Sauvignon settled in California in the mid-19th
Century. Nowhere was it more successful than Napa Valley. After winemakers
survived the Phylloxera infestation in the late 1800s and Prohibition in the
early 1900s, the wine industry was able to start to produce world-class wine.
Cabernet
Sauvignon led the way in Napa Valley and with the help of pioneers in the
1960s, such as Robert Mondavi, launched the region to world-class status. This
was proven in the 1976 “Judgment of Paris” in which Napa Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon beat the top growths from Bordeaux. Current bottle prices indicate
just how much of a rise the region's wine has experienced. Other regions include Washington's Columbia Valley and the North Fork of Long
Island.
Around the World- Cabernet Sauvignon has been adept at world travel as many new
regions are beginning to show their ability to cultivate the grape. In
Australia, the vineyards of Coonawarra, Margaret River, and Barrosa Valley have
all produced distinctive styles. In Chile, the Maipo Valley and Aconcagua
region show promise as well. In South Africa, Stellenbosch and Constantia have
made progress on the international wine scene.
Cabernet Sauvignon Styles
The
popularity of Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a number of its characteristics.
The ease of cultivation in the vineyard, reliability in the winery, ability to
age in oak and the bottle, and depth of flavor appeals to vintners, critics,
and consumers. The grape produces a high amount of sugars and tannins, which
result in plenty of alcohol and protection from oxidation. This combination
usually produces long-lasting, full-bodied wines with rich flavors.
Cabernet
Sauvignon also produces a variety of aromas including black currant, black
cherry, eucalyptus, cedar, and tobacco. These characteristics made the wine
food friendly, which is another reason for its popularity. In general terms,
dishes with a cream sauce or steak are safe bets. And with such a global
variety accessible, you may become yet another fan of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Be sure to check the blog often for tips, wine news, and tasting notices!
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