I am learning about wines to improve my serving technique….?
I want to know, what is the difference between cabernet and cabernet sauvignon? I can’t find anything on the internet about cabernet by itself. My restaurant offers cabernet red wine.
If cabernet and cabernet sauvignon are the same, than why make that difference at all? Are cabernet and cabernet franc also the exact same? No, because cabernet franc is best drunk when young.. ? ANyone?
Tagged with: cabernet franc • cabernet sauvignon • red wine
Filed under: All Things Wine
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Cabernet Sauvignon is a variety of grape. Some cabs are 100% cabernet sauvignon, others are blended with smaller amounts of other varietals to achieve the flavor balance that the winemaker is after. A bottle just labeled cabernet may be a blend of varietals or 100% cab and is probably a cheap or jug wine.
Cabernet Franc is another varietal and is often blended into a cabernet sauvignon to add aromatics. A more recent trend is to produce cab francs as stand alone wines. Quite nice ones at that.
As for improving your knowledge: If the business where you work serves wines by the glass, then you should taste them to personally know the particular wines characteristics. I’ve always encouraged my staff to taste everything.
Other ideas: Join a wine club, take a class (many community colleges offer them), have wine tasting parties with friends, read some books (there are zillions of them), visit winemaker websites (many of them have tons of information), lastly, just start drinking lots of wines and determining for yourself what find interesting in the different varietals.
If you are serious about this,
the only way to learn is to go buy a few CASES and spend your weekend drinking them.
Invite some friends over, and live and learn together.
Enjoy.
Chin. Chin.
‘Cabernet’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ are exactly the same wine. Just call it ‘Cab’ and you’ll sound cool!
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It’s my understanding that sauvignon refers to the size of the grape–very small. Supposed to result in a more intense flavor.
Same thing.
I assume that you don’t work at a place with a dedicated sommelier. If so, this is definitely someone who can provide you any details you may need.
If not, and you’re serious about this… see if there are any wine classes in your area. Many wine stores offer 1-2 hour beginner classes that should give you basics like this. More serious? Try a local college or culinary school. They may offer more extensive classes that are open to the public.
At the very least, try "Wine for Dummies" or something like that.
And, as others have said… tasting different wines yourself is the best way to learn about them.
In wine circles, cabernet or cab or cab sauv are short hand for cabernet sauvignon. If you mean cabernet franc, you can call it that or cab franc.
Chardonnay is often just Chard, pinot usually means pinot noir, but could be pinot grigio.
Bring out all the experts with a question like this eh? i have been told that cabernet in both these instances refers to the grape variatal that is used, & as well, this is usually a reference when someone requests cabernet they are referring to savignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon is usually just called Cabernet or Cab for short. Working at a restaurant I doubt you are serving any Cabernet Franc (I’m guessing). It is usually used as a blending wine.