King Of The Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon

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Cabernet Sauvignon is possibly one of the most well-known and readily-available red wines in existence today.

This wine has wonderful aromas of blackcurrants, and sometimes aromas of bell pepper and weediness can be detected depending on the viticulture techniques used to produce it, as well as the climate it is grown in and the age of the grapes when harvested. Premature harvesting as well as extended maceration can both lead to the wine having a less fruity character and taking on vegetable notes.

The grapes of this wine tend to prefer warmer climates, and the wine itself tends to improve with a bit of ageing; 5 to 10 years is often the optimum period of time. Because of this, Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal to blend with different grapes. Commonly, Merlot is used which adds fruit tones and softens the Cabernet.

Health benefits

There has been much information in the press in recent years about the health benefits of red wine, but many scientists have agreed that it is Cabernet Sauvignon that offers the best. This is because the wine contains the highest amounts of reservatrol. Reservatrol protects the grapes while they are growing from the fungus Botrytis cinerea which is potentially fatal to the plants. In human consumption, studies have shown that reservatrol slows down the production of 'bad' cholesterol whilst increasing levels of 'good' cholesterol.

Bad cholesterol can cause all kinds of problems in the body by blocking arteries which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Red grape skins in general are also very high in antioxidants called polyphenols which mop up free radicals within the cells which can damage DNA. Some researchers even claim that red wine, even when diluted by as much as 100 times, is still a better antioxidant than vitamin E. All of this makes for very good reading if you are a red wine fan!

Food pairing

It is fine to drink wine by itself, but you will discover more flavours in a wine if you drink it with food. Most wines 'work' better with some foods than others, and Cabernet Sauvignon is best sipped with red meats, red-sauce pastas, full-flavoured cheeses and dark chocolate.

These are just guidelines, however. Although there are widely-accepted food pairings for wine, if you prefer non-conventional combinations then don't feel that you have to conform to what the experts say. Consumption of wine is for your own pleasure and so go with what you prefer first and foremost.


About the Author:
Dominic Donaldson is a wine expert. Find out more about Cabernet Sauvignon and the delightful drinking experiences that await.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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