Cabernet Sauvignon Flashcards
What colour is cab sauv grape?
Black turning purple
What climate does it grow in?
Needs a warm climate to ripen fully. Can grow in a Moderate climate, on the warmest sites to ensure ripening.
Why does cab sauv need a long, warm growing season to ripen?
It is a thick skin grape.
Describe a single varietal cab sauv? Appearance, Taste and smell?
Appearance - deep red
Palate- dry, high acidity, high tannins, M-F bodied, Med - high ABV.
Nose - pronounced black fruit ( blackcurrant, blackcurrant leaf, black cherry), mint, green bell pepper.
New oak can add complex secondary flavours (smoke, vanilla, cloves, cedar, cigar box)
Bottle-aging - earth, forest floor, dried fruits
Cab sauv is often blended. Why is this?
Helps to soften the tannins and acidity particularly if from a cooler region and under-ripened.
What does oak maturation do to cab sauv?
Allows some oxidation to soften tannins. New oak can add complex secondary flavours (smoke, vanilla, cloves, cedar, cigar box)
What do high levels of tannin and acidity contribute to maturation?
They are natural preservatives which aid maturation. Over time tannins soften and the wine can develop complex tertiary flavours ( dried fruits, earth, forest floor).
What are the important growing regionsfor Cab. Sauv?
France, USA, Chile, S.Africa, Australia, NZ.
What are main growing areas in France?
Bordeaux - Medoc AOC, Haut-Medoc AOC, (Margaux AOC, Pauillac AOC), Graves AOC, (Pessac-Leognan AOC).
South of France.
Why is the Left Bank suited to growing Cabernet Sauvignon?
Some sites have soil which contains gravel stones. They help Cab Sauv to ripen through allowing good drainage and retaining heat from daytime to warm the vineyard at night.
Why is blending important in Bordeaux?
Cab Sauv struggles to ripen some years because of weather and it is necessary to blend with Merlot ( to soften tannins)
Why is South of France suitable for growing Cab Sauv?
The weather is warm and less variable.
Where in USA is Cab. Sauv grown?
California - Sonoma, Napa Valley, Central Valley
Which three sub-regions of Napa Valley produce high quality Cab. Sauv and why?
Oakville, Rutherford and Calistoga. Due to warm sunny climate with long growing season.
What are the main Cab. Sauv. grape growing regions in Chile? Which wine styles do they produce?
Colchagua Valley, Maipo Valley and Central Valley. Mainly single varietal but blended with Merlot and Carmenere.
