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. Not that most wine lovers need a reason to open a bottle of good wine.
Before you open your bottle of Cabernet, lets unpack some Cabernet Sauvignon facts:
- Cabernet Sauvignon is often referred to as the ‘King’ of the wine grapes.
- 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 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 produces celebration worthy Cabernet Sauvignon
Groot Constantia, which is celebrating 333 years of uninterrupted wine production, produces a Cabernet Sauvignon that is highly recommended – having 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.
An ideal Cabernet Sauvignon Day celebration: A visit to Groot Constantia, glass of Cabernet in hand whilst you savour the beautiful centuries old surroundings and world class facilities. Be sure to visit the original Manor House museum and original Cloete Cellar museum while you are there, grab a delicious meal at one of the two top-notch restaurants on the estate, treat yourself to a chocolate and wine pairing and do the self-guided Visitors Route Experience, accompanied by a free audio tour.
For those who cant make it to the estate itself, Groot Constantia wines are widely available in retail stores nationwide.
Cheers. Happy International Cabernet Sauvignon Day!
For more information visit www.grootconstantia.co.za or connect with Groot Constantia via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GrootConstantia.