The Napa Valley offers a veritable buffet of wines to choose from, ranging from time-tested bottles made in the traditional European style, to extraordinary new blends which are blazing the trails of winemaking. So whether you like a little novelty or prefer to relax into the familiar, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste in California’s wine garden.
But even fans of the avant-garde can benefit from a trip through the classics. Understanding common varietals like the Pinots and Cabernets will give budding sommeliers a strong foundation from which they can build their tastes and expertise. So why not do it in Napa?
Whether you’re building your palate or simply like the taste, let’s start with one of the most popular and recognizable grapes in the world: The Cabernet Sauvignon.
Known familiarly as “Cab,” this iconic wine variety makes up no less than 5% of the world’s total viticultural production. The plant itself is hardy and flexible, lending itself to a range of growing environments that contribute to both its accessibility, as well as its popularity.
Cabernet Sauvignons are red, full-bodied wines with relatively low dryness compared to their medium-high tannins. After juicing, Cabernet Sauvignons are fermented in oak barrels, which both introduce new and unique flavors to the final product, as well as softens the final tannic structure, resulting in a gentler and more drinkable wine. Most Cabs are happy to age for ten or more years in your wine cellar, and will only grow softer and more refined over time.
Different takes on Cabernet Sauvignon may require different serving and tasting methods. For example, a new wave of chillable reds has more wine enthusiasts chilling their Cab Sauvs for a refreshing summertime beverage. The fruity flavors of this wine also make it a popular although non-traditional ingredient in sangria.
There are many ways to enjoy a Cabernet Sauvignon, but here’s how you can expect to drink it on a tour of a Napa winery:
Cab Sauvs are served between 60 – 68 degrees, cool but not cold, and are typically decanted or allowed to breathe for an hour prior to pouring.
A small serving in an oversized goblet helps the wine to further aerate – the larger glass also allows more room for your nose, so you can enjoy the wine’s unique aromas as you sip.
Cabernet Sauvignons will offer a unique taste depending on the soil in which the grape was grown. The Napa Valley offers its own terroir, as well as a regional fermentation style that seasoned tasters may recognize. Notable California Cabernet tasting notes include black currant, blackberry, graphite, tobacco, and mint.
Different serving methods may bring out different characteristics in the wine or help you to experience the subtler flavors each varietal has to offer. But the golden rule for tasting is, whether or not you know what you’re doing, that you should enjoy it. So feel free to ignore any and all of the above suggestions if it doesn’t suit your tastes.
There are more prize-winning Cab Sauvs in the Napa Valley than you can shake a wine goblet at. That said, here are a few of our favorites from iconic Napa wineries.
