Cards of Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon Regions

Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon in Europe

France

The French Cabernet Sauvignon blend is the most copied wine style in the world. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is the king of the Left Bank of the Garonne river in Bordeaux.

Most famous appelations:

Mèdoc AOC and Haut Mèdoc AOC
Subregions: Saint Estèphe AOC, Pauillac AOC, Saint Julien AOC, Margaux AOC

Graves AOC
Subregion: Pessac-Leognan AOC

Vignobles

Italy

Cabernet Sauvignon is particularly famous in Tuscany where it is blended with Sangiovese and Merlot to create the famous Supertuscan wines.

Spain

The increasing demand has pushed Spain to plant this grape varietal in different regions such Catalonia, Navarra and La Mancha. In Spain Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are blended with Tempranillo, Garnacha and Monastrell.

New World Cabernet Sauvignon

USA

USA is the largest wine market in the world, and blended Cabernet Sauvignon is the number one selling wine.

Best known areas/regions:
Napa Valey (California)
Sonoma (California)
Wahington State

Australia

Australia used to make heavy oaked and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon blends, but the new trend is less oak and better balance (approved by a larger market). In Australia Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with Shiraz which adds peppery aromas.

Best known areas/regions:
Margaret River
Coonavarra

Chile

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is often an easy drinking wine with soft tannins and aromas of mint, black currant, olives and smoke. Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is a best value wine: a lot of quality for the money!

Best known areas/regions:
Cenral Valley
with the subregions:
Maipo Valley and Colchauga Valley

South Africa

South African Cabernet Sauvignon is more Bordeaux style than California style, with cassis, violets, and cedar wood aromas. South African Cabernet often delivers a good value for your money.
Cape Blend is a name used when Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot is blended with the local grape Pinotage.

Best known area/region:
Stellenbosch

New Zealand

New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with Merlot to produce an easy style Cab, ready to drink in 3 to 5 years. Dark fruits, cassis, raspberry and forest floor are typical aromas.

Best known area/region:
Hawke's Bay

Argentina

The hot and dry mountain climate facilitates the ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Here the Cabs are very similar to the Malbecs: full bodied and with an excellent price/quality ratio. High altitude and cold climate Cabs tend to express spicy, menthol and herbal aromas.

Cabernet Sauvignon in China

China is the world´s largest red wine consumer country and, to meet the market, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape there too.