Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine grape that, in 1997 the University of California at Davis determined to be a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Native to Bordeaux, it has conquered the world. It plays a part of some of the greatest wines in the world, most notably from Bordeaux, California, and increasingly Italy. Cabernet Sauvignon is frequently blended with Merlot for roundness and Cabernet Franc for fruitiness. Cabernet Sauvignon probably arrived in Italy in the 1820's and is recorded in the Veneto region in the 1870's. After Merlot, it's probably the most planted red grape in the world - it's second to Merlot in Bordeaux too. Cabernet Sauvignon ages well and benefits from oak aging.
Synonyms
Also known as Bidure, Cabernè, Cabernet Piccolo, Petit Cabernet, Petite Vidure, Vidure, Vidure Sauvignonne
Where
Australia: Coonawarra, Margaret River
Chile: Aconcagua Valley
France: Bordeaux, Languedoc, Loire, Poitou-Charentes, Provence, Southwestern France
Italy: Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Tuscany, Veneto
USA: California, New York, Washington
Also: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Moldavia, Morocco, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Turkey
Principal Wines
France: Bordeaux: Côtes-de-Blaye AOC, Bordeaux AOC, Bordeaux Supérieur AOC, Bordeaux Clairet AOC, Bordeaux Rosé AOC, Bordeaux-Côtes-de-Francs AOC, Canon-Fronsac AOC, Côtes-de-Bourg AOC, Côtes-de-Castillon AOC, Fronsac AOC, Graves AOC, Graves-de-Vayres AOC, Haut-Médoc AOC, Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC, Listrac-Médoc AOC, Lussac-Saint-Emilion AOC, Margaux AOC, Médoc AOC, Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC, Mouis-en-Médoc AOC, Pauillac AOC, Pessac-Léognan AOC, Pomerol AOC, Premières-Côtes-de-Bordeaux AOC, Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion AOC, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux AOC, Saint-Emilion AOC, Saint-Emilion Grand Crus AOC, Saint-Estèphe AOC, Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion AOC, Saint-Julien AOC; Languedoc: Cabardès AOC, Côtes-de-la-Malepère AOC, Limoux AOC; Loire: Anjou AOC, Anjou-Villages AOC, Anjou-Villages-Brissac AOC, Bourgueil AOC, Cabernet-d'Anjou AOC, Cabernet-de-Saumur AOC, Chinon AOC, Crémant-de-la-Loire AOC, Orléanias AOC, Rosé-d'Anjou AOC, Rosé-de-Loire AOC, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil AOC, Saumur AOC, Saumur-Champigny AOC, Touraine AOC, Valençay AOC; Poitou-Charente: Pineau-des-Charentes AOC; Provence: Baux-de-Provence AOC, Coteaux-d'Aix-en-Provence AOC, Côtes-de-Provence AOC; Southwestern France: Béarn AOC, Béarn-Bellocq AOC, Bergerac AOC, Buzet AOC, Côtes-du-Frontonnais AOC, Côtes-du-Marmandais AOC, Floc-de-Gascogne AOC, Gaillac AOC, Irouléguy AOC, Madiran AOC, Marcillac AOC, Pecharmant AOC, Tursan AOC
Italy: Emilia-Romagna: Colli Piacentini DOC, Colli di Parma DOC, Colli Bolognesi DOC, Colli d'Imola DOC, Colli di Rimini DOC; Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC, Collio Goriziano or Collio DOC, Friuli-Isonzo or Isonzo del Friuli DOC, Friuli-Annia DOC, Friuli-Aquileia DOC, Friuli-Latisana DOC, Friuli-Grave DOC, Carso DOC, Trentino-Alto Adige: Trentino DOC, Valdadige/Etschtaler DOC, Alto Adige or Dell'Alto Adige/Südtriol or Südtiroler DOC; Tuscany: Carmignano DOCG, Val di Cornia DOC, Cortona DOC, San Gimignano DOC, Sant'Antimo DOC, Capalbio DOC, Sovana DOC, Super Tuscan IGTs; Veneto: Colli Euganei DOC, Bagnoli di Sopra or Bagnoli DOC, Merlara DOC, Arcole DOC, Breganze DOC, Vicenza DOC, Montello e Colli Asolani DOC, Piave or Vini del Piave DOC, Lison-Pramaggiore DOC
Characteristics
Color: Dark ruby red with purple, almost blue tinges when young.
Nose: Fruity (blackcurrant), Woody (cigar box, cedar, pencil shavings), Floral (Violet), Vegetal (Green Pepper, mint), Toasted (chocolate)
Palate: Full bodied. Tannins and acidity balanced with suppleness
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