Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

cabernet sauvignon red wine

Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine steeped in tradition, a variety of red wine that continues to this day as one of the most popular. The oldest references to Cabernet Sauvignon date back to the 18th Century, but the real emergence of the variety occurred in the 1800s during an outbreak of phylloxera, a disease that severely damaged European vineyards. The variety of grape that produces Cabernet Sauvignon is known as Vidure, and was one of the few that survived the phylloxera outbreak, flourishing and swiftly taking over the wine market.

In regards to the specific location of the Cabernet Sauvignon emergence, its first recorded growth took place in Bordeaux, at the Château d'Armailhac and Château Mouton. Since then, the variety has given birth to the "White Cabernet" variety.

Vidure was inspired by Baron de Brane, a Bordeaux winemaker of great repute. The berries themselves are small with a very thick, black skin. Cabernet Sauvignon berries ripen late season, and are occasionally at risk due to winter rains.

Cabernet Sauvignon is grown around the world, particularly in Bordeaux, Italy, California, and many other locations.

In Bordeaux, the wine has a wide variety of unique flavors and subtleties found nowhere else on the planet. In the Moulis region, the Cabernet has a full fruit flavor, with a gentle, mellow array of tannins. In the Pessac-Léognan and Saint-Estèphe regions, the Cabernet is noted for a distinct mineral essence.

Italy is another noted producer of Cabernet Sauvignon, where the variety was first introduced in 1820 to the Piedmont region. Cabernet Sauvignon produced in Tuscany is noted for its black cherry and black currant notes; the grapes themselves are often bred with other Italian varieties to create unique, local selections.

California is a new player in the Cabernet Sauvignon arena, gaining international recognition in 1976 by beating out top Bordeaux estates in a blind tasting. With its unique style, California Cabernet Sauvignon is a distinct, yet in terms of production and sheer volume, is very similar to Bordeaux. California Cabernet Sauvignon is noted for its variety in flavors that vary depending on the vineyard elevation. Mountainside vineyards are noted for producing a very dark berry with an array of robust berry aromas. Hillside vineyards are noted for producing smaller, more intense berries, but the yields are lower by a wide margin.

Besides California, Washington and Oregon are noted for their Cabernet Sauvignon production. In the Columbia Valley, for example, Cabernet Sauvignon is recognized for its fruitiness and low levels of tannins that allow for a mellow experience.

All in all, Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine with a history that while short, is as rich as the variety itself. Growing in popularity in the late 20th Century, Cabernet Sauvignon’s accessibility has enabled smaller vineyards to break out of the background. So, what’s next for Cabernet Sauvignon? With multiple generations of winemakers behind and a host of new talent ahead, the growth and development of this wine is a must-see for any aficionado.