There is a plethora of wine out there, many of which look the same, and have similar names. This can make it quite difficult to distinguish one type of wine from another.
One type of wine that often causes a bit of confusion is cabernet sauvignon. Its name sounds very similar to sauvignon blanc, leading people to confuse the two. However, they are very different types of wine!
One of the questions we get asked most often is whether a cabernet sauvignon is a red wine or a white wine. We totally understand the confusion, but the answer is pretty straightforward.
We will be answering this query in this article, alongside some other related questions regarding cabernet sauvignon.
So, if you have a bottle of this delicious wine at home, or have heard good things about it and want to find out more, this could be the perfect article for you!
Is cabernet sauvignon a red wine?
Yes! We are pleased to confirm that cabernet sauvignon is indeed a red wine. In fact, it is one of the most popular red wines around the world and is certainly the most commonly drunk.
Keep in mind that the name cabernet sauvignon is actually in reference to the type of grape used for the wine. The cabernet sauvignon grape is a cross between two types of grapes, the Cabernet Franc and the Sauvignon Blanc.
Keep in mind that the sauvignon blanc grape is actually a white grape, and so it is used for white wine! This is what causes some people confusion since the word sauvignon trips the up.
The word sauvignon is used in reference to both red and white wine because they both use different grapes with the word sauvignon (meaning ‘wild’ in the French language) in them.
This pairing happened by chance in the 17th century. Fast forward to today and it is actually the most commonly planted red wine grape around the world.
What’s more, the flavor notes change depending on the temperature of the climate in which it grows.
You can expect cabernet sauvignon red wine to be full-bodied, bold, full of flavor, and rich. If it was made from grapes in a warm climate, the flavor can be jammy. In moderate climates, you can expect it to have deep, berry flavors. Cooler climates give it slightly fresher flavor notes.
Is Cabernet Sauvignon dry or sweet?
The cabernet sauvignon wine is generally classed as a dry wine. This means that it lacks sweetness. Dry is not about the mouthfeel of the wine, contrary to popular belief. Dryness is a term used to describe a wine that is not sweet. Cabernet sauvignon is one of these wines.
However, do not confuse it with Cabernet Franc which is a much drier wine in comparison, even though they are relatively similar.
In comparison, Cabernet Franc is thought to be an off-dry wine, with a rating of 1-2. On the other hand, cabernet sauvignon is a medium dry wine with a rating of 3-4. This means that it is just on the cusp of being slightly sweet and off-dry.
You should also bear in mind that the dryness and sweetness of a wine can also be affected by the winemaking process, as well as where in the world the grapes were harvested.
This means that whilst cabernet sauvignon is generally classed as having a medium dryness, it may be slightly more sweet or slightly more dry, depending on the climate the grapes were grown, and any other factors determined by the winemakers.
What is the difference between red wine and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet sauvignon, as you may well know by now (at least you should if you’ve read the article so far!) is a type of red wine. This means that you cannot really determine a difference between them. It’s like asking the difference between Hershey’s and chocolate or cheddar and cheese!
However, it is worth noting here that the grapes used in cabernet sauvignon are actually a hybrid grape in that they are made from white and red grapes.
Whilst the resulting grape is a red grape, this could be looked at as one of the main differences between the red wine generally and cabernet sauvignon that being said, given that cabernet sauvignon is a type of red wine, you cannot really compare the two since reed wine is a generic name referring to many types of red wine.
Can you drink cabernet sauvignon by itself?
Yes! You can certainly drink cabernet sauvignon by itself. It can of course be enjoyed alongside a meal, as a sort of table wine. However, it is equally delicious when enjoyed on its own. In fact, it is the most popular red wine around the world, drunk by people in every country!
It pairs beautifully with a variety of food from different cuisines. For example, you may enjoy a glass of cabernet sauvignon with steak (of course, what red wine doesn’t go with steak?!), burgers, ribs. Other types of red meat, rich stews, mushroom dishes, cheese, and lamb dishes. For the perfect wine pairing as a sommelier at your favorite restaurant.
If you prefer it on its own, accompany your glass of cabernet with some smooth jazz, dim lights, and perhaps some gourmet chocolate to nibble on through the evening.
Can you get drunk off of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Yes! You can get drunk off most wines. Drunkenness is not a one size fits all experience. Different people get drunk in different ways. What gets one person drunk will not get another person drunk.
However, given that cabernet sauvignon is typically pretty high in terms of its alcohol content, many people will feel at least a little bit tipsy after just one glass!
In terms of its alcohol content, cabernet sauvignon may vary depending on where in the world it was made. However, you can usually expect it to be at least 13.5%, and up to 15% alcohol content or more. It is common to find it at least 14.5% on average!
