Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, dry red originally from Bordeaux, France, and now grown pretty much everywhere that takes wine seriously. Expect blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry with cedar, herbs and spice. Full-bodied and structured, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, burgers, lamb, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Taste:

Big, bold and basically red-wine royalty.

Cabernet Sauvignon is typically dry and full-bodied, with firm tannins, noticeable acidity and plenty of concentrated dark fruit. Expect blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry and plum, often joined by cedar, dried herbs and black pepper.

Depending on where it’s grown, you might also find a distinctive hint of green pepper or mint. Oak ageing can bring vanilla, tobacco, toast, coffee and chocolate, while mature bottles develop softer, more savoury flavours of leather, earth and dried fruit.

Cabernet's combination of tannin, acidity and concentrated flavour also means good bottles can age for years – sometimes decades.

This isn't a red that struggles with confidence.

Food Pairings:

Cabernet Sauvignon and steak is a classic for very good reason.

Try it with ribeye, sirloin, fillet, rump steak, steak frites or steak with peppercorn sauce. The wine's tannins work brilliantly with the richness of red meat.

It's equally at home with roast beef, beef short ribs, beef stew, slow-cooked beef, brisket, burgers, roast lamb, lamb chops or lamb shank.

At a BBQ, pair Cabernet with BBQ ribs, grilled steak, burgers, brisket, smoky sausages or lamb kebabs.

For meat-free dishes, go for mushroom pie, mushroom stew, lentil casserole, grilled aubergine or roasted vegetables.

Mature Cheddar, Gouda, Gruyère and other hard, aged cheeses are all excellent matches too.

Similar Wines:

If you enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is a natural next move for something softer, plummier and less tannic.

Malbec brings plenty of dark fruit with a smooth, generous style, while Syrah adds more black pepper and savoury spice.

You can also explore Bordeaux to see Cabernet Sauvignon blended with grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc, or Meritage for an American take on the Bordeaux-blend idea.

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More About Cabernet Sauvignon:

Cabernet Sauvignon originated in Bordeaux in southwestern France but is now one of the world's most widely planted and recognisable red grapes.

You'll find major examples across France, the United States, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Argentina and plenty of other wine-producing countries.

Its family history was only confirmed relatively recently. DNA testing showed that Cabernet Sauvignon is the result of a natural crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.

Which means one of the world's biggest red grapes has a white grape for a parent.

Wine genetics loves a plot twist.