Cabernet sauvignon grape

The Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape variety resulting from the crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, originating from Bordeaux (France). It is currently the most widely planted red grape variety in the world, with 340,000 hectares, only surpassed by the table grape Kyoho.

Ampelography

Cabernet Sauvignon is a long-cycle variety with late bud break and ripening (one to two weeks later than Cabernet Franc and Merlot). The vines are highly vigorous with a semi-upright growth habit. The bunches are medium-sized, compact, and short elliptical in shape. The berries are small, spherical, and bluish-black in color. The skin is thick, tough, and very rich in tannins and polyphenols. The pulp is colorless, firm, crisp, and slightly astringent.

Agronomic characteristics

It adapts well to all types of climates, although it thrives in warm and dry environments to achieve optimal ripening. It is recommended to plant it in gravelly, slightly acidic soils with good exposure, avoiding very humid soils. Thanks to its thick skin, it is very resistant to diseases. However, it is very sensitive to eutypa dieback, powdery mildew, and esca.

The variety was first introduced in the Penedès in the late 1960s. Today, excellent Cabernet Sauvignon wines are also produced in Somontano and Navarra.

Oenological characteristics

It produces high-quality wines with deep color, high tannins, notable alcohol content, and good acidity. Its high tannin and polyphenol content makes it ideal for long ageing wines.

It is known for its aromas of black fruit (cherry and blackcurrant) and cinnamon. In cooler climates, it shows green pepper notes, while in warmer climates it develops aromas of mint and eucalyptus. With ageing, it can develop notes of cedar, cigar box, and tobacco leaves.

Our Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are located in Pacs, la Bleda and Sant Martí Sarroca, in Alt Penedès, on well-drained soils with good sun exposure.

Origin of the name and synonyms

The words cabernet and sauvignon may derive from the French words caverne and sauvage, meaning cave and wild.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is also known as petit bouchet, sauvignon rouge, bordeaux, vidure, bouchet, carbonet, marchoupet, lafit, vaucluse, carmenet, burdeos tinto, castet, cabernet petit, veron, bordo, breton, petit cabernet, petit vidure, kaberne sovinjon, bidure, navarre and lafet.