It’s the last week in August, which means that International Cabernet Day is upon us!

Cabernet Sauvignon is the love-child of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, and can be found virtually everywhere you make wine. It loves long, warm summers (just like us!), and although it may not be the trendiest around, we think it deserves a proper thumbs up.

Here’s some of our top places to find Cabernet Sauvignon.

California
Is there any region more linked to crazily good Cabernet Sauvignon than California? It was the driving force behind the “cult of Cabernet” after all. Winemakers across the state created wines that were chock full of flavour and only available in miniscule quantities. Now though, it’s a little bit different. These kinds of condensed, full-on wines have fallen by the wayside for all but the most ardent collectors. It means wines like the Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon have become the norm. Balance, purity and elegance get bandied round a lot. The opposite of what you may have thought Californian wine was about.

Try: Cabernet Sauvignon Bakestone Cellars 2018

Chile
It would be remiss of us to talk about Cabernet Sauvignon without discussing Chile — it’s the country’s most planted red grape, with over 40,000 hectares planted! The diversity of Chilean landscapes is reflected in the wide range of Cabernets that can be found here, from fruity, easy-drinking styles to structured, high-tannin and high-acid examples that can age remarkably well. Chile also offers something extra which, while not unique, is certainly rather special. The country was not affected by phylloxera (a deadly epidemic that swept across Europe in the nineteenth century, devastating most vineyards), meaning that winemakers can produce wines from very old vines, with all the complexity, quality and power that this brings.

Try: Chak Cabernet Sauvignon Vina Nahuel 2020

South Africa
Cabernet Sauvignon is South Africa’s most widely planted red grape. It has been cultivated for over two centuries but only gained prominence as a single varietal from the 1960s. Today, it defines many of the country’s best reds, with Stellenbosch and Paarl being the leading regions. Stellenbosch benefits from varied soils, altitude and ocean influence, producing wines with ripe fruit, freshness, and moderate alcohol. Paarl, tempered by the Berg River, yields concentrated, structured wines reminiscent of Bordeaux’s Médoc. While often bottled as 100% Cabernet, blends with Shiraz or Bordeaux varieties are also common. Although not as wallet-friendly as its Chilean counterparts, South African Cabernet offers impressive quality and value, with excellent bottles often priced far below their equivalent Napa or Bordeaux wines.

Try: Philip Albert Cabernet Sauvignon Joostenberg Estate 2019

France
Last, but far from least, is France, the birthplace of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. More specifically, the varietal hails from Aquitaine in Southwestern France, where it thrives in the gravelly soils of Bordeaux. Here it is blended with other varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to produce the age-worthy Bordeaux blends which the region is so famous for. Some Cabernet Sauvignon is also planted along the banks of the Loire by somewhat optimistic winemakers (!), and plantings can also be found in Provence (where it can be blended with Syrah) and Languedoc, where excellent value can be found if you know where to look.

Try: Cabernet Sauvignon Domaine de Saissac IGP Pays d’Oc 2022

Discover our Cabernet wines here