Considered around the world to be one of the noble red grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon has a long history in Australia dating back to the mid 1800’s. It is a variety that does not do well with heat stress and drought and consequently took a while to find a comfortable home. It became very fashionable in 1970’s and 1980’s and plantings increased dramatically. The terra rossa soils and moderate climate of Coonawarra have proven to be well suited for the production of classically structured, age worthy wines. The maritime climate and gravelly soils of Margaret River have also proven to be fantastic for this variety. These two areas have developed the best reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia but there are many other regions scattered throughout the country producing great wines such as the Yarra Valley and Pyrenees in Victoria. Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Barossa are all noteworthy Cabernet producing regions in South Australia. Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other varieties. In Margaret River, Merlot is the common partner but in other regions, notably Langhorne Creek and Barossa Shiraz has been the tradition and indeed many of the old guards in the latter region would argue that the Shiraz Cabernet blend is the classic expression of Australian dry red wine.

As a wine, Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its dark colour, full body and an alcohol content that is over 13.5%, with most Cabernet Sauvignons, especially those from places such as California, Australia and Chile, being more like 14.5% and sometimes even going over 15%. The wine is dry (not sweet) and has a healthy level of tannin, which is why your mouth dries out when you sip it. Many people who drink Cabernet Sauvignon say they always pick up a taste of green pepper in the wine, along with tobacco, cassis, and dark fruits such as cherries, along with a hint of vanilla that comes from the wine aging in the oak.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that needs to be drunk with food, given its acidity, tannins and alcohol. We don’t think there is a hard and fast rule for drinking wine with food, you drink wine you like, with food you like to eat, but Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely a wine that does better with food than without food, as by itself, it can be overwhelming.

These wines range in price and are available from good liquor stores or online.

• The Informant Cabernet Sauvignon ($10)
• Jumbuck Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)
• Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon ($28)
• Peter Lehmann VSV Ruediger Cabernet Sauvignon ($55)
• Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon ($110).

There is a wide range of Cabernet Sauvignon wine to choose from and if you decide to buy Cabernet Sauvignon online and have no idea where to start, begin by reading some of the reviews. Cabernet Sauvignon reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.