Cabernet Sauvignon Flashcards
What is the most important French region for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Bordeaux
(Left bank)
What are the most important AOCs in Bordeaux?
- Medoc AOC
- Haut-Medoc AOC
- Graves AOC
Which TWO important AOCs are part of Haut-Medoc AOC?
Haut-Medoc AOC
- Margaux AOC
- Paulliac AOC
What is the important AOC within Graves AOC?
Graves AOC
- Pessac-Leognan AOC
What type of grape is Cabernet Sauvignon?
Black grape
South-West France
What are the notable characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Black fruit flavours
- Herbaceous aromas
- High Tannin
- High Acid
What climate does Cabernet Sauvignon prefer?
Moderate
Warm
Why do Cabernet Sauvignon need a warm climate
Grape has thick skins
Needs long warm growing season to fully mature
What are the typical characteristics of a Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Dry
- High Acid
- High Tannin
- Medium-Full Bodied
- Pronounced Black Fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry)
- Herbal (mint)
- Herb Notes (Green pepper, capsicum)
In very warm climates, what effect does it have on the black fruit flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cooked fruit flavours
Is Cabernet Sauvignon typically single varietial or blend?
Mostly Single
Can be blend
Usually blended with Merlot to soften tannins and acid
What does blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot do?
- Softens tannins
- Lowers Acid
Usually done if Cabernet is not ripe enough.
Why mature Cabernet Sauvignon in Oak?
- Soften tannins
(Newly blended Cab Sauv very tannic)
- Adds complex tertiary flavours (smoke, vanilla, cloves)
How does the Oak soften the tannins?
Oak allowed oxygen to enter.
Oxygen contact with wine softens the tannis over months.
What flavours does a new oak barrel impart to Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Vanilla
- Cloves
- Smoke
What benefit do the high tannins give a good Cabernet Sauvignon?
- High Tannins and High Acid allow to long aging
- Many years
What tertiary flavours can develop in a long-aging Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Dried Fruits
- Earth
- Forest Floor
Most Important French Region for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Bordeaux
Bordeaux can be moderate climate? How does Cabernet Sauvignon ripen?
Left Bank of Bordeaux contains stones in soil
Stones allow rainwater to drain (so vines not cold/damp)
Stones heat up during day, then warm grapes at night
What are the main Appellations in the Bordeaux Left Bank?
- Medoc AOC
- Haut-Medoc AOC
- Graves AOC
What two sub appellations are in Haut-Medoc AOC?
- Margaux AOC
- Paulliac AOC
What sub Appellation is under Graves AOC?
- Pessac-Leognan AOC
What regions in California are known for Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Napa Valley
- Sonoma
What are the well-known sub regions within Napa and Sonoma for Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Oakville
- Rutherford
- Calistoga (northern Napa)
Are Napa and Sonoma mostly Single-Varietal Cabernet Sauvignons?
No
Mostly blended with small amounts other grape varieties
Does a Cabernet Sauvignon labelled California only have grapes from Napa/Sonoma?
No
Wines labelled California can be blended with any grape grown across the state
Most from Central Valley (hot, irrigated areas)
Are most California Cabernet Sauvignon immediate consumption or for long aging?
Immediate Consumption.
Oak staves or chips used during oak maturing
What is Chile’s most widely planted grape variety?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the two important sub-regions in Chile for Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Maipo Valley
- Colchugua Valley
(both in Central Valley)
Describe the region of Chile’s Central Valley?
- Foothills of Andes Mountains - East
- Coastal Ranges - West
- Flat fertile sites Valley Floor
What is the typical profile of a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from the foothills of the mountains?
- Distinct Herbal Mint
- Herbaceous (Green Pepper, Capsicum)
- Black Fruits
- Oak flavours
Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Stellanbosch. Where is Stellanbosch located?
South Africa
What is the typical climate of Stellanbosch?
Moderate to Warm
Depends on altitude
What styles of Cabernet Sauvignon come from Stellanbosch?
- Fresh, Herbal
- Full-Bodied with cooked fruit and high alcohol
What is a Cape Blend?
Blend
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Pinotage
Where is Margaret River located?
Western Australia
What is the climate like for Margaret River?
- Warm
- Moderated by coastal breezes
- Lots of rainfall
Where is Coonawarra?
South Australia
What is the typical climate in Coonawarra?
- Warm
- Moderated by Cloud Cover
- Cooling breezes
What is the typical profile of a Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Distinct Herbal (mint)
- Pronounced Blackcurrant
- Smoke
- Cedar
What region does Cabernet Sauvignon grow in New Zealand?
- Hawkes Bay
What is the typical profile of a Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Red and Black fruit
- Herbaceous (Green Pepper, Capsicum)
In Bordeaux, what does the term Chateux refer to?
Wine Estate or Producer
(not a building)
Wine made from grapes grown in producers land
What does the term Grande Cru Classe/Cru Classe mean?
Classification of the best wines in the best Chateux in certain sub-regions in Bordeaux
Indicator of high quality
What does the term Cru Bourgeois mean?
Wines from Medoc that cannot use the Grande Cru Classe/Cru Classe label can use this label
Not as expensive but some good to outstanding wines
