August 31st, 2023 — Time to celebrate CabSav!

How cool is this… just a few days ago it was the international celebration day of the “Queen of the grape varieties”, remember?

It was International Pinot Noir Day…

And guess what? It’s again time to celebrate. This time it is the world’s most successful and most widely planted grape’s day: No other than Cabernet Sauvignon.

With 840.000 acres it covers around 5% of the world’s wine grape plantings, which is quite a number.

Birthday celebration with a few bottles with a few bottles of wine from Longshadow Ranch in Temecula, CA

(Photo by Kelsey Knight via Unsplash)

Rockstar ancestors

Did you know that Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the baby of Cabernet Franc and the white grape variety Sauvignon Blanc? Cabernet Sauvignon shares a familial bond with Merlot, both tracing their lineage back to Cab Franc as a common “father,” albeit with distinct “mothers.” Interestingly, during blind tasting sessions, even seasoned experts might find it challenging to differentiate between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

No, it’s not the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, but there seems to be a liaison about Cabernet and black pepper right?

To be exact, it’s the so-called methoxypyrazines or pyrazines which are responsible for this kind of flavour in the wines, which is also described as bell pepper sometimes. Recent scientific insights have uncovered a crucial link between the growth of vine leaves and these aromas. As a result, viticulturists are now wielding this knowledge to guide the growth of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, harnessing the power of pyrazines to craft exceptional wines.

Money, money, money

Did you know that the world’s most expensive and valuable wines are made of Cabernet Sauvignon?

Screaming Eagle’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 vintage reflects the expertise of winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett, whose success can be credited to high critics’ scores, limited production and scarcity relative to its demand. That wine received a near perfect score of 99 by wine critic Robert Parker. You can imagine the booster effect on the wine’s value. A six-litre bottle was acquired for US$500,000 at an auction just five years after its release.

Glass of red wine (Photo by Árpád Czapp via Unsplash)

Diversity takes it all

Thanks to the fact that it is planted globally, so many different styles and quality levels do exist. From the crowd pleaser easy drinking category up to the fine wine range, everybody will find his/her personal darling.

Cabernet Sauvignon also dominates China, covering 75% of its vineyards. In 1892, it arrived in Yantai, Shandong, spurring decades of significant imports.

So let’s go and have a dive into the world of Cabernet Sauvignon at VinoVossto find Your favourite wine for International Cabernet Sauvignon Day.

Lotte Gabrovits