Wine school: cabernet sauvignon explained & the best bottles to buy
Aleesha Hansel gives you the lowdown on cabernet sauvignon, the world’s most popular wine grape, and chooses three favourite bottles to try. Find out what dishes pair well with cabernet sauvignon, from the classics to more unexpected recipes, and the distinctive flavours of this type of wine.
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One of the most famous and widely grown red grapes, cabernet gets its name from its Bordeaux parents, cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc. It takes on the blackcurrant and pencil-lead aromas of cabernet franc, as well as the green, herbal notes of sauvignon blanc. The wines it produces are full-bodied, rich and dark-hued – thanks to the grape’s thick skins, where all the flavour, structure compounds and colour pigments are held.
Since cabernet is high in tannins (which create a drying sensation on the tongue, described by wine pros as ‘chewiness’) and moderately high in acid, it’s good for pairing with food. The tannins bind to protein and fat, their astringency cleansing your palate, while the acid provides freshness and balance.
Today the varietal takes up 5% of the total global vineyard acreage, putting it in first position ahead of 10,000 other 3 varieties. One of the reasons for cabernet sauvignon’s popularity is its adaptability, thriving from the cooler regions of Bordeaux and Coonawarra to the warm areas of Napa Valley and Mendoza. This versatility means winemakers believe the grape freely expresses terroir (a sense of the place the grapes were grown in).
What to eat with cabernet sauvignon
The classic pairing: grilled meat
Try it with grilled beef and vegetable kebabs – the tannins in cabernet sauvignon bind with the protein and fat, resulting in a softer character, while the wine’s dark fruit flavours complement those deeper umami, charred notes on the vegetables.
Something different: Spicy food
Historically, wine pairings for spicy food have called for something sweet to balance the palate, but the fruitiness of cabernet works in the same way with Indian dishes such as raan (whole roast leg of mutton), while the acidity provides freshness between bites.
3 great cabernet sauvignon wines to buy right now
Just a tenner: Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2020 Fairtrade 14%
This cabernet-dominated blend has a good mixture of red and black fruit, similar to those in a summer pudding. Nice acidity and finely grained tannins, with a touch of wood spice and leather from the oak ageing. £10, available from Co-op
Mid range: Howard Park Margaret River 2021 Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 14%
Finding Margaret River wines at the affordable end of the scale is tricky but I’ve managed it with this one. Lighter in style, in keeping with the region’s characteristics, this has gorgeous black fruit with a sprinkle of herbs. £12, available from Tesco
Splurge: Torres Mas La Plana 2018 DO Penedès 14.5%
This is one of – if not THE – best cabernets produced in Spain. Rich, bold and brooding black fruit mingle with spice, herbs, dark chocolate and earth. £57.99 (£43.49 as part of a mixed six), available from Majestic
Discover more wine recommendations, from top English and Welsh wines to try to the best big bottles for parties.
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