Cabernet Sauvignon: Five Facts You Need to Know About the World’s Favorite Wine

by | Oct 10, 2023 | In the News | 0 comments

Cabernet Sauvignon is King in the Napa Valley – and the rest of the world.

When people visit Napa Valley, they often come in search of the luscious “King of Red Wine” that Napa Valley is so well-known for, and they’re sure to find plenty: Cabernet is the most planted varietal in the Valley by far, with around 40% of all vineyards consisting of Cab.

It’s not only in Napa Valley that Cabernet reigns supreme, though. It’s the most popular wine around the world, beating out all other varietals, red or white. There’s no wine that has enjoyed a popularity quite like Cab, and the hardiness of its vines, along with the elegance of its flavors, ensure that it will not be dethroned in the near future.

Cabernet Sauvignon is descended from white grapes.

You may have noticed that this popular red wine shares both of its names with two other varietals – Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s no coincidence! In the 17th century, a spontaneous crossbreeding of these two varietals in France resulted in the elegant red wine we all know today.

This fact wasn’t confirmed until the 1990’s, when researchers at UC Davis uncovered the genetic truth – that the most popular red wine in the world was actually a descendant of a white wine varietal! You can see Cabernet Sauvignon’s family resemblance if you look closely – Cabernet Franc provided the trademark colors and flavors that we generally associate with Cab Sauv, while Sauvignon Blanc imparted the grassy, herbaceous notes that make this wine a true standout among reds.

Red meats are scientifically proven to go well with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ever wonder why you’ll rarely see anyone drinking white wine with a rich, juicy steak? It’s because most whites lack the body and boldness to stand up against the almost overwhelming richness of red meat. Cabernet, however, is no slouch in the boldness department – its full-bodied fruitiness means that it isn’t easily overshadowed by the flavors of the meat. The structured tannins of Cab also work well in balancing out any fattiness that you may encounter in a red meat dish.

Most wines titled Cabernet Sauvignon are blends.

The Bordeaux-style blend is the most famous, and most Napa Valley Cabernets (including those we produce at Grgich Hills) tend to blend their wines in accordance with this tried-and-true combination. However, since the only qualifier of “Bordeaux-style” is having a blend of two or more of the five red Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec), you’ll never find two Cabernets that drink quite the same!

At Grgich Hills Estate, our Cabernet Sauvignon blends change every year, based on the flavors of that vintage. Sometimes, we’ll stick with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Other years, we’ll blend it with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, to improve the mouthfeel and the overall flavor profile.

It only gets better with age.

And we’re not just talking about aging the wine. Grgich Hills is custodian to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the Napa Valley, planted in Yountville in 1959. Because of their age, these vines have been able to develop rich, complex flavors that we’ve been unable to find in younger vines.

Of course, Cabernet is a champion of bottle-aging as well, with some lasting decades and still evolving. However, appreciation for the older vintages is subject to taste. Some people prefer the structure of a younger Cab to the softness of one with a few years under its belt. There’s no catch-all right or wrong when it comes to wine – it’s all up to your palate!

Interested in Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon? Check out our offerings: