Don’t know a cabernet from the cabaret? Here is how you can make better wine choices in future
In a restaurant, we can easily ask a waiter or certified wine specialist (sommelier) for assistance with our wine selection. In most other situations, there is no such luxury.
Imagine you’re standing in an off-licence, for example, bewildered at the sheer amount of options in front of you.
To some extent, you hope the 19-year-old behind the counter will walk over and ask if you need help. But then you also understand that the employee’s knowledge of wine probably extends to that which is sold in a box.
Before you reach for a reliable old favourite or turn to the clueless store employee for advice, read on to discover how to make decisions that represent a wiser investment of your hard-earned cash.
With all of that said, we figure one varietal in particular is a good place to start.
What is cabernet sauvignon?
Cabernet sauvignon is one of the world’s most recognized and popular varietals worldwide, with an estimated 151 million cases consumed in 2019 alone.
Cabernet is the product of a chance encounter between a cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc vine in southwestern France in the 17th century.
Today, it is grown in most of the world's major wine-producing regions and can tolerate a wide variety of climates. It is also prized for its disease and insect resistance.
The best cabernets are found in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, and the United States, whilst countries like Lebanon, Israel, Canada, Argentina, and Chile are also worth a mention.
In general, cabernet is a full-bodied red wine with flavors like blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, tobacco, and mint. There are also notes of savory spice and black pepper and, if the wine was aged in French oak, aromas of clove and vanilla. Cabernets also tend to feature medium to high tannins and acidity.
Thanks to cabernet’s adaptability, resilience, and substantial production volume, there are a plethora of affordable yet delicious cabernets on the market.
However, with so many winemakers entering the cabernet fray, we are often faced with a paralysing choice of brands. Online stores may stock hundreds of even thousands of different brands, while even the humblest off-license may leave you scratching your head.
How to choose a cabernet off the shelf
Here are some ways you can make better wine choices – whether online or offline – the next time you find yourself in such a predicament.
Note that while these pointers are cabernet specific, they apply to any varietal.
Choose a wine merchant who knows their stuff
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Look for smaller, family-owned, or boutique wine businesses whose primary focus and specialty is wine.
They may be less convenient to visit than say, a supermarket, but they tend to employ staff who are knowledgeable and passionate about wine and are willing to pass it on.
Buy from the best regions
Buy from the regions you know and trust. If you’re just getting started in cabernet, a few we consider the crème de la crème include:
· Napa Valley, California (United States)
· Bordeaux (France).
· Tuscany (Italy).
· Stellenbosch (South Africa).
· Coonawarra, Margaret River, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale (Australia).
Don’t stress (too much) about age
The idea that wines become better with age is only partly true. Some wines do, while others do not. Whatever the case, take comfort in the fact that all wines are ready to drink immediately after purchase.
Winemakers understand that most bottles are consumed within 24 hours after purchase and make wines that taste best in their youth.
Don’t let price dictate your choice
Discounted wine is not necessarily poor-quality wine. The business may simply be clearing excess inventory or running a promotion.
The same can be said for expensive options. Never assume that $100 cabernet tastes five times better than the $20 alternative. In many instances, the price increase is not related to taste but simple economics. It may be that the grapes were handpicked (requiring more expensive labour) or part of a small vintage where supply was limited.
In either case, knowing what you like and how much you are willing to pay is paramount.
Be wary of the label
Avoid becoming seduced by a clever name, attractive logo, or eye-catching illustration. Some wineries use labels to stand out from the crowd and sell more with the quality of the wine a secondary consideration at best.
The devil is in the detail
On that note, take the time to read the text on the back of the bottle. Is there information about the varietal, the region, the vintage, and the winemakers themselves? In general, the more information, the better.
Over time and with practice and research, you’ll be able to tell the difference between a quality wine made by an authentic producer and one that was made in a soulless bulk facility.
Now that we've told you how to select the best wines, here are three picks we feel represent a sizeable portion of the price and quality spectrum.
The supermarket option
The Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Langhorne Creek Cabernet is a fruity, bold, and spicy cabernet with grapes sourced from the Barossa Valley, South Australia.
At just £8 a bottle, don’t expect to be wowed by this wine. Nevertheless, reviewers praise the Sainsbury’s cabernet for its affordability, balance, and smoothness.
The fresh option
Want a wine that blends the old world with the new? The 2018 Vina Robles Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the creation of Swiss businessmen Hans Nef, who visited the Californian Paso Robles wine region in the 1990s and never looked back.
Nef combines the Old World aspects of his Swiss heritage with sustainable and modern winemaking techniques that incorporate more technology and require minimal intervention.
This Californian cabernet rewards with flavors of dark chocolate, mocha, and ripe cherries with a finish that is velvety and enveloping.
The classic option
France is where cabernet sauvignon originated, but why not try a South African cabernet made in the traditional French Style instead?
The 2019 Franschhoek Holden Manz Cabernet Sauvignon is the brainchild of Thierry Haberer – a winemaker who studied at the University of Bordeaux with both his father and grandfather winemakers on the French island of Corsica.
This cabernet is characteristic of the varietal. It is rich, full-bodied, and offers a complex array of dark fruit and well-balanced acidity.
Conclusion
The good news is that you don’t need to become a sommelier or wine connoisseur to choose a good bottle of wine. It only requires that you take your time to make a reasoned, considered, and reasonably well-informed choice.
See the wine selection process as an investment. An investment in your future enjoyment of a glass of delectable cabernet or one that ensures you avoid the duds and save money while you’re at it.
References
https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-padthaway-cabernet-sauvignon--taste-the-difference-75cl
https://www.wineaustralia.com/news/market-bulletin/issue-236#_ftn1
https://www.thesecretcellar.co.uk/red-wine/usa/vina-robles-estate-cabernet-sauvignon/
https://www.thesecretcellar.co.uk/red-wine/south-africa/cabernet-sauvignon-2019-franschhoek-holden-manz/