Cabernet Sauvignon: taste, styles and the dishes that match
52 styles and 634 dish scores from our sommelier database
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape with a character of its own — and that character decides which dishes it shines with. Our sommelier database holds dozens of Cabernet Sauvignon styles, each with its own Wine DNA profile, scored against hundreds of dishes. From Bavette in red wine sauce to more surprising pairings: this is the complete guide.
Taste profile (Wine DNA)
Averaged across the styles in our database, Cabernet Sauvignon shows fresh acidity, is medium-bodied and exuberantly fruity, with soft tannins.
Well-known Cabernet Sauvignon styles
- Pauillac Grand Cru Classé · Haut-Médoc — full-bodied, fresh acidity, firm tannins, generous oak ageing
Classic, noble Left Bank Bordeaux dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, showing cassis, cedar and great ageing potential. - Haut-Médoc · Haut-Médoc — full-bodied, fresh acidity, firm tannins, subtle oak notes
Stylish Left Bank Bordeaux where Cabernet Sauvignon provides backbone, dark berry fruit and length. - Cabernet Sauvignon · New World — full-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins, subtle oak notes
Entry level quality red wines from this grape originating from Bordeaux. - Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra · Australia — full-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins, generous oak ageing
A deep-coloured Cabernet Sauvignon from a classic Australian region. - Cabernet Sauvignon Washington & Oregon · Oregon & Washington — full-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins, subtle oak notes
Minder 'gestoofd fruitig' dan de meeste van deze wijnen uit de Nieuwe Wereld. - Cabernet-Sauvignon Tuscany · Tuscany — full-bodied, pronounced freshness, firm tannins, generous oak ageing
Topklasse rode wijnen uit de Toscane van voornamelijk de cabernet-sauvignon-druif. - Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur · Bordeaux — medium-bodied, fresh acidity, soft tannins
Entry to mid market level of fruity red wines from cabernet sauvignon and merlot based blends with light tannins.
Price-wise Cabernet Sauvignon covers the full range: of the 52 styles in our database, 40% sit in the entry segment, 40% mid-range and 19% at the top end. You will find both a weekday bottle and a cellar-worthy wine in this grape.
The best-scoring dishes with Cabernet Sauvignon
The dishes below come from our expert scoring: every combination was scored by sommeliers using the Wine DNA of both dish and wine. These are the strongest matches for Cabernet Sauvignon styles, from classic to surprising.
- Bavette in red wine sauce — best style: Cabernet Sauvignon Southern Europe
- Beef — best style: Cabernet-Sauvignon Toscana
- Manchego — best style: Cabernet Sauvignon California
- Rolled beef roast — best style: Cabernet-Sauvignon Toscana
- Bitterballen — best style: Cabernet Sauvignon Southern Europe
- Kofta — best style: Cabernet Sauvignon New World
- Tournedos rossini — best style: Pauillac Grand Cru Classé
- Steak with pepper sauce — best style: Haut-Médoc
- Côte à l’os — best style: Bordeaux blend Europe
- Côte de boeuf — best style: Bordeaux blend Europe
- Grilled meat — best style: Pauillac Grand Cru Classé
- Massaman curry — best style: Pauillac Grand Cru Classé
Want to know if a specific bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon matches your dish? Scan the label in the SommelierX app and see the match instantly.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
- Averaged across the styles in our database, Cabernet Sauvignon shows fresh acidity, is medium-bodied and exuberantly fruity, with soft tannins. It varies by style: see the overview above.
- What food goes with Cabernet Sauvignon?
- The highest scores in our sommelier work: Bavette in red wine sauce, Pizza Quattro Stagioni, Roasted Thick skirt, Gravy, Boiled Polenta, Boiled White asparagus, Blanched French beans, Thyme. The full list is above.
- Is Cabernet Sauvignon a red wine?
- In our database Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly made as a red wine (52 linked styles); regional exceptions exist.