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
Cabernet Sauvignon is particularly famous in Tuscany where it is blended with Sangiovese and Merlot to create the famous Supertuscan wines.
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.
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 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
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 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 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
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.
China is the world´s largest red wine consumer country and, to meet the market, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape there too.