Cabernet

Cabernet is a red wine grape variety best known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon wines. It is one of the world's most widely planted grape varieties and is used both for varietal wines and in blends. Cabernet wines are typically full-bodied with high tannins and noticeable acidity, traits that support long aging.

Originating in the Bordeaux region of France, Cabernet Sauvignon arose in the 17th or 18th century as a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. It gained prominence in the Médoc and other Left Bank communes, where it is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Viticulture and flavor: The vines ripen late and have thick skins, giving high tannin and color. Primary flavors commonly include blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum, with cedar, tobacco, and graphite notes that emerge with oak aging. The variety's tannins and acidity make it well suited to aging in wood and bottle.

Styles and aging: In Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon is often the backbone of left-bank blends, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc adding softness and perfume. In California and elsewhere, it is common for wines to be produced as single-varietal bottlings or dominant blends. Oak aging is common, typically several months to two years, with premium wines aging longer.

Regions: Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in Bordeaux (notably Médoc, Pauillac, Margaux), Napa Valley and Sonoma, Chile (Maipo, Colchagua), Australia (Coonawarra, Margaret River), South Africa, Italy (including some Super Tuscans), and many others. It remains one of the most recognizable grape varieties in the world.