The 30th of August is International Cabernet Sauvignon Day - the perfect time to open a bottle of this much-loved wine and celebrate all things Cabernet.
Before you open your bottle of Cabernet, let's unpack some Cabernet Sauvignon facts:
- It is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates – in fact, it is thought to be the most planted wine grape in the world.
- Cabernet Sauvignon is often referred to as the "king" of wine grapes.
- Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the natural crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grape varietals centuries ago in France, creating a unique grape with special flavours and tough, thick skins that made it easier to grow.
The origins were a mystery until some recent DNA testing told more of the story:
While Cabernet Sauvignon grapes can be grown in a variety of terroirs, they thrive best in poor, deep gravel soils and warm temperatures. It needs a longer growing season than Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The actual Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are small with dark coloured, thick skins. They offer concentrated flavours and complex aromatics, along with high levels of tannin - making this an ideal grape for producing wine – hence the reason that it is the varietal most widely used as the base for many red blends.
Cabernet Sauvignon produces wines with deep, dark colours that offer complex scents and concentrated flavours ranging from blackberries, creme de cassis, black cherries, blueberry and chocolate when young, to fragrances of tobacco, truffle, cedar wood, earth, and leather when mature.
SA’s oldest wine-producing farm has been growing Cabernet Sauvignon for 333 years!
The Cab Sav from Groot Constantia, which is celebrating 333 years of uninterrupted wine production, has recently won a Double Platinum award at the 2018 Top 100 SA Wine Awards.
“ The wine is matured for 14 months in French oak barrels, of which 34% are new French oak 28% 2nd fill 25% 3rd fill and 13% 4th fill barrels. It offers flavours of ripe black fruit followed by layers of tobacco leaf, cinnamon and cedar wood on the nose. The wine is full-bodied on the palate with black fruit, firm tannin and a fresh acidity,”
Explains Boela Gerber, wine maker for Groot Constantia.
Visitors to the historic estate can visit the original Manor House museum and original Cloete Cellar museum or meal at one of the two restaurants on the estate. The chocolate and wine pairing is unforgettable and there is a self-guided Visitors Route Experience, accompanied by a free audio tour.
Cheers. Happy International Cabernet Sauvignon Day!