The most famous wine variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, is the child of two others from which it takes its name: white Sauvignon Blanc and Red Cabernet Franc. It is also the half-brother of Merlot, whose parent is again Cabernet Franc. Most known wine varieties are derivatives of others: the red Syrah is a half-brother of the white aromatic Viognier. And, one of the oldest varieties is thought to be Pinot Noir.
Although Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are two different grapes, they are among the favourites in the world of reds, and their excellent bottles for every taste can be found at 8wines. But, do we know who wins the red wine battle?
Pinot Noir – Subtle and delicate
Despite its widespread use, Pinot Noir has its hot spots, such as France’s Burgundy region and the Côte-d’Or. The best plantations in the well-known New World can be found in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.
It has a much longer history than most of the wine grapes that we are familiar with today. According to some estimates, the grape is believed to be at least 1,000 decades older than Cabernet Sauvignon and has been discovered in pre-Roman Europe. In reality, the Romans first stumbled upon it in France and then spread it throughout their vast territory.
In the world of wine, if you haven’t learned to appreciate Pinot Noir, you’re not considered cultured enough. It’s a stunning grape that can be grown anywhere, but the best results come from a cold climate with plenty of sun exposure. The Pinot Noir grape variety has a storied history in the wine industry. Ancient and mysterious; subtle and delicate. Its grapes have thin skin and, compared to other types, have fewer tannins (structure) and anthocyanins (colour-enhancing compounds).
Pinot Noir drinkers describe themselves as down-to-earth types, and every time they go to the store, they don’t miss buying two bottles. Pinot Noir lovers are suspicious of any Pinot Noir that appears to be a Cabernet Sauvignon in colour. They believe that Pinot Noir is not pure and has been contaminated with another grape. They are simple, as the taste of Pinot Noir, but unique at the same time.
Tasting notes
The colour of Pinot Noir is distinctively red. Although it’s a slightly opaque brick red in colour, this wine has a particularly luminous sheen that distinguishes it from the rest—the colour ages like almost everything else. After 8 or 10 years of age, Pinot Noir takes on an orange-ochre hue. Pinot Noir has a ruby red or violet tint when it’s young.
Pinot Noir is one of the most aromatic grape varieties, which adds to its already impressive quality. Aromas of berries such as those of strawberries and blackberries often stand out. Leather, violet, and liquorice are also detectable in the scent. The latter is true when the wines have been aged in oak for a significant period. Black currants and truffles can also be detected in the primary aromas.
Pinot Noir from France
Pinot Noir from the Burgundy region is known for its complexity. The characteristics of the vine vary depending on where it was grown, but they all have a few things in common. Cherry, garnet, and ruby are among the more intense reds found in this family, but there are also violet and brick-red varieties. They’re smooth and dry, with just the right amount of alcohol strength.
Aromas include black cherry and currant when young, with notes of spices (like pepper and cinnamon) and others (like coffee, leather, and skin) such as pepper and cinnamon as they get older. The grape has a thick skin that makes it resistant to pests and climate change, in addition to its remarkable ability to adapt to a wide range of terroirs.
Pinot Noir from California
Tannins are integrated into the wine’s acidity, which gives it a firm, natural acidity. The region’s wildness comes through in the spicy and savoury components, and the texture is both energizing and cooling. Pomegranate, raspberry and orange peel flavours combine with blackberry, ripe red cherry, and oolong tea aromas.
Food pairing
This group of Pinot Noir enthusiasts enjoy stewed meats, steak, and chickpeas, avoiding fine dining. While Pinot Noir is young and an excellent aperitif, they also adore it when paired with something light like semi-ripe cheeses.
Poets and philosophers also have long admired the great Pinot Noirs of the world. ‘Sideways” movie lovers can recall Paul Giammatti’s (a failed writer and poet) attempt to seduce Virginia Madsen (an attractive female waitress) by talking poetically about Pinot Noir’s virtues. He couldn’t seduce her, though, until he took her out for a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon – The Queen of Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon is dubbed “the queen of grapes” for a reason. It’s exclusively used to make red wine, and the result is powerful, austere, tannic, darkly coloured, and full of complexity. From the Bordeaux region of France, it has spread to all countries that produce wine over the centuries. It is cultivated in several countries, including the United States and Australia and Chile, and Argentina, among others.
The grape’s thick skin makes it resistant to pests and climatic adversities like excessive rainfall, in addition to its incredible ability to adapt to different terroirs. Furthermore, higher temperatures aid the process for grapes that take longer to mature, as is the case in the American region, which is now emerging as a significant grape producer.
Tasting notes
Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines have a higher alcohol content and are meant to be aged. The skin of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is nearly black, with bluish undertones, and the grape itself is small, with little pulp but a lot of flavours. Although these grapes are sensitive to temperature changes, they can thrive in various climates, which is another feature that demonstrates its dominance in the wine industry.
This wine is distinguished by intense, dense tannins that are visible through its deep-red colour and violet hues and the aromas and flavours of tobacco, minerals, wood, plums, chocolate, and mint eucalyptus, spices, and vegetables. Many of these wines will not be fully mature for 15 to 20 years after being bottled, so patience is a must.
Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, France
The vegetal notes of green bell pepper in this grape’s pyrazines, aromatic organic compounds, are what makes it so distinctive. With maturation, the amount of this compound in the grape drops. This herbaceous note may indicate a lack of maturity, so it is viewed as an error. However, a small amount of this aromatic attribute gives the wine a distinct and appealing character.
Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon has softer tannins and a fuller body than Bordeaux, making it a more enjoyable wine to drink when it is young. To go along with its natural black fruit flavours like figs, cherries, and raspberries, it has spicy notes in the mouth that help to elevate this Cabernet Sauvignon to an exotic level. There are many different styles to choose from
Cabernet Sauvignon from North Coast, California
This region is well-known for making some of the best wines in the country. The king of the grapes here is Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes produce good sugar levels during the daytime sun, but in the afternoon fog, the vines become cooler, which slows or stops the photosynthesis process. As a result, the grapes have more time to ripen when the nights are cool. Slow ripening allows flavors and aromas to develop and become more complex while maintaining a high level of acidity.
Food pairing
Cabernet Sauvignon enthusiasts love pairing it with beef short ribs or lamb, as well as pasta in a hearty red sauce, pizza, and strong cheeses. Cabernet drinkers tend to be complex people. They are always aware of the wine’s rating and will not consume any wine with a rating lower than 85 if given the option.
The Bottom Line
And which one wins the red wine battle will be a mystery because it depends on taste preferences. Try not to compare varieties with each other. Instead, get a few bottles of the same variety but from a different country or region and try them quickly. In the end, the best wine is the one that is shared, the one that exalts the hearts, enkindles the pupils of the eyes, and teaches the feet to dance.
