Call me a cab...

By The weekly winer 17 December 2007 03:03:00

Cabernet Sauvignon may not pair well with Thai food, and may require the most appreciation, yet it is still the most popular of wines.  What I mean by requiring appreciation is that it may take an acquired taste to completely appreciate what it has to offer.  Since I've been here all I have been talking about were new world wines and I think it's time I pay a little respect where respect is due. 

Though I speak a lot about other wines, I personally can truly appreciate a fine glass of Cab.  So you may ask why does it have to require so much appreciation?  Is it because of the dry bitter-like taste it leaves on the palates of the inexperienced, or is it because the name is a little hard to pronounce?  Maybe that's why it presents such nobility and stature. 

The fact that it requires so much attention and takes such a long time to harvest, gives it that added and well deserved respect. It's a wine that may not be for everyone but for those who love it - they really love it. Once you learn to appreciate it, knowing that it has such history, that bitter-like taste turns into aromas and flavors most often compared to black currant, cherry, bell pepper and green olives with a rich tannic finish.  A wine with such intense flavors pairs perfectly with red meats, such as steak and roast beef. 

What I like about the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is that when blended with other types of wines like Merlot, which are softer and fruitier, it can create something with a whole new perspective. This, my friends, is why the Cabernet Sauvignon is the "King" of red wines.

Cabs to Try

Hourglass

2000 vintage

$75

Clos du Val reserve

2000

$95

Geyser Peak

1999 block collection

Napa Valley

Altair Vinyards & Winery

2002

Chile

Add your comment

Alex Says
22 November 2007 08:13:00

While Cabernet Sauvignon night not offer a palate which is as fruity or refreshing as other grape types, it definitely makes for a pleasant, although not always easy, experience. Speaking of the products of the Old World (especially France) in contrast to those of the New World (where we definitely should include well balanced wines form Australia and N.Z.), one should keep in mind that it is often the unknown and not (yet) recognized wines which often offerpleasant surprises. So, you wine friends: be brave and dare to go out to explore, there is a lot to appreciate beyond the well know, and you may find your 'new world' in this world of wine.

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