Whilst Bordeaux, France, may well be the home of this grape, it is very adaptable and some of the world’s finest wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, including locally. Known as the ‘King of Red Grape Varieties,’ it’s a peer of the realm with approximately 11% of total vineyard plantings in South Africa.

Cabernet Sauvignon is triumphant as a grape on its own, but is also frequently blended with other ‘traditional’ Bordeaux grapes such as Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. In fact, I was intrigued to learn that Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc are the parents of this giant, after a natural crossing of the two grapes in the 1600s.

Traditional, firm, assertive styles are made here, but the trend is towards more up-front wines driven by ripe, juicy fruit with cedar, tobacco and spicy oak complexity. The best wines from this variety display exceptionally deep colour, the characteristic aroma of blackcurrants (cassis) and have an almost unequalled capacity to age in the bottle.

Cabernet Sauvignon is not meant for light and delicate dishes, in fact, the wine could simply crush the meal, spoiling the flavours of the dish. It is a complex and full-bodied red wine pairing well with equally challenging and bold dishes.

Popular meats paired with this style of red wine include steak, ostrich and duck. You don’t want to overcook the meat if you’re pairing it with this wine, as you’ll have less fat and protein components to tame the tannins within. As Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark red wine, select dark and rich sauces like a dark mushroom sauce, red wine reductions, or a hearty peppercorn sauce.

What you should know about Cabernet Sauvignon

• As a late-ripening grape, South Africa provides the ideal location for growing this varietal, as it particularly prefers warmer climates.
• It’s often considered a ‘tannic wine,’ as it can impart mouth-drying effects when drinking. This is due to the fact that it is a very small grape with a large skin-to-flesh ratio, as well as large pip — both of which contribute to natural grape tannins.
• Apart from the Bordeaux-style blends mentioned above, Cabernet Sauvignon is also often blended with Shiraz or Pinotage to soften harsh or chalky tannins.

Want to learn about other wine varietals? Check out what we have to say about Chardonnay | Chenin Blanc | Red and White Blends | Shiraz | Pinotage | Merlot.