International Cabernet Sauvignon Day -

Table Of Contents

Intro
What Does the French Word Sauvignon Mean
Is Cabernet Sauvignon Good for Your Health
HOW TO OBSERVE #CabernetSauvignonDay
From Australia to California and from France to South Africa's Cape Winelands
Cabernet Sauvignon Production in South Africa
Do you Serve Cabernet Sauvignon Warm or Cold
Six of the Best Pairings for Cabernet Sauvignon
Vegetable and Fruit Pairings for Cabernet Sauvignon
Is Cabernet Dry or Sweet
Which Red Wine Has the Least Amount of Sugar
What is the Difference Between Red Wine and Cabernet Sauvignon?
How Can You Tell a Good Bottle of Wine
Top-Rated South African Cabernet Sauvignon Wines*
Dates
Sources

Intro

Arguably the world’s most recognized red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon has become a favorite among seasoned wine connoisseurs and newbies alike thanks to the rich and appealing flavors, full-bodied mouthfeel, and accessibility all over the world.

What Does the French Word Sauvignon Mean

The word sauvignon comes from the French words sauvage and vigne, meaning wild vine. What does wild refer to? A. The fact that the variety predates the domestication of grape vines.

Sauvignon may refer to:

Sauvignon blanc – a white wine grape
Sauvignon vert – a white wine grape widely planted in Chile. Also a name in California for Muscadelle
Sauvignon gris – a pink wine grape
Cabernet Sauvignon – a red wine grape

Is Cabernet Sauvignon Good for Your Health

This wine is high in resveratrol and protects the heart. Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine rich in flavonoids that help protect the heart from cholesterol-induced damage. In moderation, it can raise your HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), prevent blood clots and artery damage from LDL cholesterol, and help your blood vessels work their best.

The risks of excessive alcohol drinking include impaired judgment; a higher chance of cancer, stroke and liver disease; obesity and more.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CabernetSauvignonDay

The best way to observe this day is to gather with others who appreciate fine wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’ve never had this kind of wine before, today is the perfect day for your first glass. If you’re not much of a wine drinker, give Cabernet Sauvignon a try anyway. Share this day on social media with #CabernetSauvignonDay or #InternationalCabernetDay.

From Australia to California and from France to South Africa’s Cape Winelands

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Australia and British Columbia, Canada to Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon became internationally recognized through its prominence in Bordeaux wines where it is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

From France and Spain, the grape spread across Europe and to the New World where it found new homes in places like California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Napa Valley, New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, South Africa’s Stellenbosch region, Australia’s Margaret River, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra regions, and Chile’s Maipo Valley and Colchagua.

For most of the 20th century, it was the world’s most widely planted premium red wine grape until it was surpassed by Merlot in the 1990s. However, by 2015, Cabernet Sauvignon had once again become the most widely planted wine grape, with a total of 341,000 hectares (3,410 km²) under vine worldwide.

Cabernet Sauvignon Production in South Africa

Enhanced by consistent improvements and empowered by centuries of heritage, the vineyards of South Africa have become one of the best producers of Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The wines benefit from the windy maritime climate of the region as it helps fight fungal threats and mildew that affect the leaves and grapes.

Do you Serve Cabernet Sauvignon Warm or Cold

The ideal serving temperature for a cabernet sauvignon wine is approx. 16 C (60 F) with many connoisseurs suggesting serving it at 13.9-14.4C (57-58F) for the best flavour.

Six of the Best Pairings for Cabernet Sauvignon

Steak. The obvious one…
A good burger which is, after all, simply chopped steak.
Beef short ribs and other braised beef dishes. Slow-braised beef – or venison – can be great too especially when cooked in red wine.
Roast or grilled lamb.
Portabello mushrooms.
Cheese.

Vegetable and Fruit Pairings for Cabernet Sauvignon

Vegetable side dishes such as roasted brussel sprouts, broccoli rabe, grilled radicchio, kale or spinach pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruits such as plums and black cherries are well suited as well.

Is Cabernet Dry or Sweet

Dry. The majority of popular red wines, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, are dry, meaning they aren’t sweet. Though they may taste fruity, the dry nature of the wine is due to the absence of residual sugars.

Which Red Wine Has the Least Amount of Sugar

The lowest-sugar wines are dry reds like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah/ Shiraz, which often have less than one gram of sugar per five-ounce pour. Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Viognier all have 5 grams of sugar per five ounces.

What is the Difference Between Red Wine and Cabernet Sauvignon?

Because red wines get their color and much of their texture and flavor from the grape skins, the thicker skins of cabernet sauvignon create a rich, concentrated, and purple/black, full-bodied wine.

How Can You Tell a Good Bottle of Wine

Crystalline appearance. If the wine looks cloudy, discard the bottle. Good wines always have a clear and crystalline appearance, without imperfections.

Top-Rated South African Cabernet Sauvignon Wines*

*A reader contributed to this article. Thank you Taz🙏👍

Top-Rated Wines

Delaire Graff Reserve 2021: Banghoek, 14.83% ABV, R1,200 – This wine scored 94 points and is known for its exceptional quality.
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Castle of Good Hope 2022: Durbanville, 14.26% ABV, R156 – Another 94-pointer, offering great value for its price.
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection 2022: Stellenbosch, 14.84% ABV, R210 – Scored 94 points, with flavors of blackcurrant, berry, and black cherry.
Tokara Reserve Collection 2021: Stellenbosch, 14.43% ABV, R395 – Winner of a 2BFermControl organic fermentation kit, scoring 94 points.
Spier 21 Gables 2020: Stellenbosch, 14% ABV, R380 – Scored 93 points, with Fruity flavors and a lingering finish.

Best Buys

Nederburg The Winemasters 2022: With a rating of 91 and selling for R115 a bottle, this wine offers exceptional quality relative to its price.
The Pledge Our Stellie 2021: Le Grand Domaine, Stellenbosch, 14.4% ABV, R150 – Scored 91 points, with a rich flavor profile.

Other Notable Mentions

Flagstone Music Room 2020: Cape Coast, 14.5% ABV, R380 – Scored 92 points, with a complex flavor profile.
Zorgvliet 2021: Banghoek, 14.31% ABV, R195 – Scored 92 points, offering great value.
Boschendal Stellenbosch 2021: 14% ABV, R300 – Scored 93 points, with bright ruby color and earthy aromas.
Cederberg Nieuwoudt Five Generations 2021: Cederberg, 13.5% ABV, R825 – Scored 93 points, with red and black berries, and spice notes.