Author(s):
Percy H. Dougherty* - Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Abstract:
Cabernet Sauvignon wine is the "King of Wines" and includes some of the most pricy and collectible wines in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes can grow in many regions around the world; therefore, it is a good variety to study the concept of "terroir," the French term indicating the influence of the physical and cultural geography on wine. This paper applies the concept to wine judging competitions in which the olfactory and gustatory characteristics of wine are judged on how that wine compares to similar wines. Since Cabernet Sauvignon is grown is many different locations, it has many different guises, so judging a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa against a St. Estephe from Bordeau is not a fair comparison. To fairly judge a Cabernet Sauvignon, one must judge it against a proper comparison for its nose and taste profile. Analysis of wine-tasting notes from the professional literature and wine tastings are used to categorize each wine producing area and define typical geographic descriptors of Cabernet Sauvignon for each region. Areas with cooler climatic conditions contain many examples with green, vegetative, herbal and green pepper resulting from pyrazines in less developed fruit. The other end of the spectrum includes wines from warm areas with accompanying higher alcohol levels and exhibiting jammy, stewed fruit characteristics. Examples of Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, Napa, Sonoma, Washington, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, and Israel are analyzed to determine smell and taste profiles and how the profiles are unique from one region to another.
