A gift from the province of Bordeaux - Cabernet Sauvignon wine: history, characteristics, prices

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Cabernet Sauvignon is an old wine. It is believed that they began to select it in the era of Ancient Rome and then supply it to the imperial court. The basis of the variety was nondescript rare and small blue-black berries "Cabernet Franc". The vines of this grape with tart fruits grew wild in the south of France. Ancient breeders began their work to improve the qualities of the plant by combining it with Sauvignon Blanc, a large white grape. The light color of the "sauvignon" did not affect the new variety, just the dark blue berries became larger.

In the 17th century, the variety "cabernet sauvignon" was appreciated by the "gray" cardinal Richelieu. It was he who came up with the idea to transfer the vine of this plant to the vineyards of Bordeaux. The desiccated soils of the sunny Medoc and Grave are just what you need for this grape. Now this varietyis the hallmark of the entire French province of Bordeaux. However, they highly appreciate their wine: prices start from 30 euros. Which is understandable: in France, this wine - in its pure form or blended with other breeds - is aged for a long time, at least 5 years. It is believed that the best characteristics of the wine reaches the 15th year of its harvest.

Due to the fact that the grapes "kAbernet Sauvignon" have a very thick fleshy skin and each berry is, as it were, dressed in a cocoon of a clear light bloom, the crop is very resistant to rot and various diseases. For this reason, the variety has spread far beyond Bordeaux and even France. In Italy, it has significantly supplanted the traditional "Sangiovese", moreover, it is a component of the so-called super-Tuscan wines of a complex blend, to which the French guest gives astringency, blackcurrant flavor and versatility.

But that's not all. At its peak in the early 20th century, Cabernet Sauvignon "stepped" across the Atlantic Ocean and populated the vineyards of the New World. Now it is grown in Argentina and Chile, California and Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Of course, the taste characteristics of wine change due to climatic differences and the soils on which the vines grow. But geographical features are not the main thing that distinguishes different subspecies of "cabernet". In the countries of the New World, the grapes are allowed to fully ripen, while in Europe the harvest is removed before this time. As a result, berries harvested in Argentina orCalifornia, give the drink the tonality of ripe and juicy fruits, and European - bear astringency and aromas of currants, licorice, prunes.

Most wine cellars in the world have Cabernet Sauvignon in their arsenal without fail. The price of wine varies considerably, depending on the producing country. The fact is that the countries of the New World prepare the drink for sales at the age of 4-5 years, after 2 years of aging in oak barrels. French manufacturers are pausing, which is only good for alcohol. Therefore, do not rush to uncork the bottle! Young Cabernet Sauvignon wine smells of cherries and plums, more mature wine smells of coffee, vanilla, and prunes. In French fine and elite wine, the aroma of cedar, expensive tobacco and leather is clearly felt. But the smell of blackcurrant makes Cabernet the most recognizable. This wine is suitable for meat dishes from beef, pork, lamb, rabbit, poultry.