International Cabernet Sauvignon Day

International Cabernet Day is celebrated on the Thursday before Labor Day each year to celebrate Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the world’s most popular and widely planted grape varieties.

Red wine is perhaps one of the oldest beverages known to man. It’s no wonder that Pliny The Elder, a Roman historian, coined the phrase ‘In Vino Veritas’ which translates to ‘In wine, there is truth.’ Up until the mid-90s, most people believed that Cabernet Sauvignon was the renowned ancient Roman wine. Although today we understand the history of this grapevine variety and how it was created, the allure and mystique of Cabernet Sauvignon wine has not diminished.

In the 17th century, an accidental crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc gave the world its first taste of what would later become a staple for wine lovers and winemakers alike. Then, in the 1800s, Cabernet Sauvignon saw its first rise in popularity, particularly in France. Winemakers were consistently looking for grapevine varieties that were resistant to weather changes and easy to grow. The rich and dark fruit flavor that characterized most Cabernet Sauvignon wines became highly sought after by wine enthusiasts, and the grape quickly rose to the status of noble grape.

Cabernet Sauvignon, often referred to as the “King of Red Wines,” is one of the world’s most popular and widely recognized grape varieties.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape in the world.  Why?

Cabernet Sauvignon is a relatively young grape variety believed to have originated in France in the 17th century. It is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.

• Ageability: Cabernet Sauvignon can age for decades due to its tannin structure and acidity. The wine often develops secondary flavors like tobacco, leather, and earthiness with time, making older vintages highly prized.
• Popular in blending:  While Cabernet Sauvignon is often enjoyed as a single varietal wine, it is also popular for blending, even outside of Bordeaux. It can add structure, tannins, and complexity to blends with other varieties such as Shiraz, Malbec, and Sangiovese (making a Super Tuscan)
• New World vs. Old World Cabernet Sauvignon: Wines from the “Old World” (like France) tend to be more earthy and restrained, with higher acidity and lower alcohol. In contrast, “New World” (like the USA and Australia) Cabernets are often more fruit-forward, with higher alcohol content and a riper flavor profile.
• Cabernet Sauvignon is often considered the “king” of red wines in Napa Valley, California. The region’s warm climate and diverse soils produce some of the world’s most highly regarded and expensive Cabernets.

Fun Fact:

The Judgement of Paris:  Cabernet Sauvignon played a pivotal role in the famous 1976 “Judgement of Paris,” a blind-tasting event where California wines, including a Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, beat French wines, shocking the wine world and putting Napa Valley on the global wine map.  Check out the movie Bottle Shock and also this great article from SommTV

Our Favorite Food Pairings:

Grilled or Roasted Meats:

• Steak:  A classic pairing, especially with cuts like ribeye that have a bit more fattiness. The meat’s rich, juicy flavors complement the wine’s tannins and dark fruit flavors.  Try our RK Steak Frites with our unctuous Angus rib-eye which is Chef Noelle’s favorite cut
• Short Rib: Slow cooked & braised meats are great to pair with Cabernet Sauvignon too.  Try the Short Rib Plate with Blue Cheese Polenta.
• Burger:  Which is, after all, simply chopped steak. Generally though it’s the other ingredients that determine the success (or otherwise) of the pairing.  The RK Burger  is juicy and delicious with Chef Noelle’s signature blue cheese and caramelized onions to truly complement the wine.
• Lamb & Veal:  Roasted or grilled lamb, especially with herbs like rosemary and thyme, pairs beautifully with Cabernet Sauvignon’s earthy and herbal notes.  Look for our RK Ossobuco in the fall for this killer pairing

Hard Cheeses

• Aged Cheddar:  The sharpness and depth of aged cheddar complement the complex flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Gorgonzola. While most blue cheeses may bring out bitter notes in a cabernet, the mild, buttery flavor of gorgonzola can complement its fruit notes.
• Aged Gouda. The nutty flavors in this cow’s milk cheese bring out the berry notes in young and older cabernets, while the tannins from the wine bind to the fat and protein in the cheese, cleansing the palate.
• Gruyere. This alpine-style cheese is slightly salty, nutty, and creamy when young. As it ages, it becomes more earthy and complex, making it a worthy partner in a cab pairing.
• Manchego:  One of our favorite pairings (and available on our RK Charcuterie Board) the umami flavors of this cheese complement the richer body of an oaked Chardonnay or a light red like Malbec and Cabernet.
• Parmesan : With its nutty and salty profile, this hard cheese pairs well with the wine’s acidity and tannins.

Mushroom Dishes

• Mushroom Risotto: The earthiness of mushrooms and the creamy texture of risotto pair well with the wine’s earthy and sometimes truffle-like undertones.  Try the Truffled Mushroom Risotto, one of Chef Noelle’s signature plates.
• Grilled Portobello Mushrooms:  The meaty texture and umami flavor of grilled Portobello mushrooms can stand up to the boldness of Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pro Tip from the RK menu:  Order the Steak Frites with a side of Truffled Mushrooms.  Cover your steak with mushrooms and enjoy the incredible flavor explosion of this combination.

Dark Chocolate

• Dark Chocolate Desserts:  The bittersweet richness of dark chocolate pairs well with Cabernet Sauvignon’s tannins and dark berry flavors, especially when the wine has some age on it, which softens the tannins and brings out more complex, secondary flavors.

Savor a delightful glass or bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and commemorate this extraordinary grape!

Currently the RK Claret Wine bar is pouring the following Cabernet’s by the glass:

B. Wise TRIOS, Moon Mountain, Sonoma 2020

Austin Hope, Paso Robles 2021

Kukeri, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2019

Crown Point RELEVANT, Happy Canyon, Santa Ynez 2018

Chateau Mongravey 2018

Nine Must Try’s for Cabernet Sauvignon

More Top Pairings