Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon earned its reputation out of the Bordeaux region in France, but these days, you can find excellent Cabernet Sauvignons from many of the major wine producing regions around the world including Australia and New Zealand. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are often referred to as the king of grapes, and with its full-bodied flavours delivering a rich array of flavours, you will soon see why.

Black cherry, plum, spices, tobacco, leather, tar and mint are just a sampling of flavours you might recognise in a good Cab Sav, and you will also find everything from chocolaty undertones to vanilla, oak and cedar depending on the myriad of surrounding influences. Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is often considered to produce a vanilla flavour while the French variety is typically more blackcurrant.

As you can see, Cabernet Sauvignon is widely regarded as an extremely versatile wine. It typically ages well, and while many bottles are ready to consume on purchase, a good mid-priced bottle can benefit from a few years ageing under the right conditions. At the heavier end of the price and quality scale, you can age Cabernet Sauvignon for a decade or more.

The versatility of Cabernet Sauvignon means that the potential meal matches are virtually unlimited. Its full-bodied flavour makes it a winner with Italian cuisine, traditional red meats and even Indian curries. Try choosing a nice bottle from climates such as Margaret River in Western Australia, Barossa Valley in South Australia or the many other premium Cabernet Sauvignon wine growing areas in Australia.

Find a range of Cabernet Sauvignon red wines here at wine.com.au, or continue through to discover the tasting delights of a good Shiraz. Alternatively, if you haven't done so already, check out our pages on Merlot and Pinot Noir to find out more about these favourite red wines. Wine.com.au - for lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon.