Fruit

Cabernet Sauvignon

S tier

Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most planted noble red wine grape—small thick-skinned berries, high tannin and acid potential, and aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, and herb when ripe. As a table grape it is tart and seedy; culinary identity is almost entirely through wine, reductions, and grape must from wine-oriented fruit. Clusters are loose to medium; colour is deep blue-black. In the kitchen, use Cabernet-based wine for reductions, braises, and peaux; fresh berries appear rarely except as vineyard snacks. Verjus from unripe fruit offers acid without oak. Match rich meats and hard cheeses via the wine, not the raw berry.