Cabernet sauvignon is one of the most popular red wines and is made from the grapes of the same name. These grapes are a cross between the cabernet franc and Sauvignon Blanc. They are known for their thick and durable skin, which allows them to grow on any terrain. Hence, cabernet sauvignon grapes are the most planted premium red wine grapes in the world. They have adequate levels of tannins, which means that the wine would get better with age. It can also be mixed with oak to bring out new flavours. The resulting wine is great for drinking with food. These grapes can also blend well with other grapes, especially merlot, which results in the famous Bordeaux blend.
What does Cabernet sauvignon taste like?
As these grapes are grown worldwide in different climates and regions, the resulting cabernet sauvignon wine or cab has many different flavours. But the most common description is of dark fruity flavours and savoury tastes from bell pepper to black pepper. To further understand a cab wine's flavour profiles, let us look at two regions that produce two completely different wine varieties.
Cabernet sauvignon wines from Bordeaux and the old world such as Europe are rare. Wine from these regions tends to have a more floral or herbal flavour profile, such as violets and tobacco. The aroma often has hints of black cherries and liquorice, along with the earthiness. Despite being a full-bodied wine, cab from these regions are the king of subtlety. They might taste lighter, but have high levels of tannins and acidity that will last longer on the tongue.
Cabernet sauvignon from California, Napa Valley, or other new world places has a much fruitier profile than their old-world counterparts. You can notice flavours of black cherries, black pepper, and liquorice, along with a hint of vanilla. They have slightly less tannin and acidity but have more alcohol in 13.5% to 15.5%.
What are foods that go well with Cabernet Sauvignon?
If you are looking for foods best paired with cabernet sauvignon wine, look no further than red meat. With younger wines, food types with some spice to balance the sweetness and tannins can help the wine taste better. When it comes to older wines, any classic European dish will do the trick.
But there are a few food items that work extremely well with cabernet sauvignon wine. The first obvious food choice is steak. Especially fatty steaks like sirloin or ribeye, which can bring out the wine's unique flavour profile. The next best choice is a burger. Add some smoky barbecue sauce and a few crispy fried onions along with it, and you have a winning combination. This dish works better with a new world cabernet sauvignon than the Bordeaux one. Venison is also a great pairing along with cabernet sauvignon. They complement each other well and can make a memorable meal. Apart from this, a roasted or grilled lamb with some gratin dauphinoise is also the right choice, especially with a Bordeaux cab. However, if you are not a meat-eater, then a cab wine with a juicy portobello mushroom along with some butter and garlic is a good pair. The intense flavour of these mushrooms can complement the cab wine. If you are looking for cheese items, then hard cheese such as aged cheddar or blue cheese like gorgonzola will pair well, especially with a steak or a burger with it.
Apart from pairing well with food, cabernet sauvignon also has many health benefits when moderately consumed. Of all the wines, cabernet sauvignon is the one with the highest level of flavonoid. These are compounds that are good for the heart. It also has antioxidants such as resveratrol that can prevent clogging of arteries, and if moderately consumed, it can also prevent cardiovascular diseases. Cab wine can also eliminate bacteria that affect the tooth enamel, and the flavonoid component prevents any inflammatory gum diseases. Therefore, it is also beneficial in improving dental health. Recent studies have shown that a glass of cab wine a day can prevent Alzheimer's disease even in hereditary cases.
How to drink Cabernet Sauvignon?
There are a few tricks involved to enjoy the best tasting cabernet sauvignon. The first one is to make sure that it is at the optimal serving temperature. You can make use of a wine thermometer for this purpose. If the weather is around 21 degrees Celsius, then keep it in a refrigerator for an hour, or if you are in a hurry, you can also keep it in a bucket of ice for 5 minutes. When opening a wine bottle, make sure you use a standard wine opener to prevent any old cork from crumbling. Once done, fill one-third of the wine glass, and give it a nice swirl and smell its aroma because the scent influences 80% of the wine's taste. Then, take a small sip and let it roll over the tongue to enjoy the wine's distinct flavour profile.
If you are looking for cocktails with a cabernet sauvignon, you are in luck because cab wine goes well with other spirits. You can mix cabernet sauvignon with some apple brandy, cinnamon syrup, lemon juice, and you have a 'big apple sour'. If you are not very fond of brandy, then add some white rum and ginger syrup to some cabernet sauvignon, and you have 'carnivor swizzle', which has a nice tropical flavour and aroma. Vodka is also another good option for a cab cocktail.
As you can see, cab wine pairs well with food items and other liquor or spirits, but it is also costly compared to other wines. If you are someone who enjoys an excellent cabernet sauvignon, then you might find it expensive at your local liquor store. But worry not, because Boozebud can help you find the best cabernet sauvignon wine for the lowest possible price. Boozebud is Australia's online liquor marketplace and one of the faster-growing start-ups. We have suppliers for various liquors like beer, tequila, whiskey, gin, etc. Our low-price matching feature is our POD (point of differentiation). We do not set the price but match it with the lowest available price in the market. We also have a personalized recommendations algorithm that can understand your taste, preferences and suggest accordingly. You can buy a cabernet sauvignon, and with our alcohol delivery service, we will deliver it to you at your doorstep. You can also track the current status of your order through our website. We are also available on smartphones. Download our app from the play store or app store, and you are good to go. If the goods are damaged in transit, then we also offer a refund option. If you are in Melbourne or Sydney, then you are in luck because we provide a one-day delivery service to these cities. We operate all across Australia, including Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Geelong, Wollongong, Sydney, and Sunshine Coast
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