Viticultural Information
Cabernet Sauvignon
Description
Species:Vitis vinifera Cabernet Sauvignon is the most important variety in the Bordeaux region of southwest France, but it is increasingly important in the Languedoc area of southern France. It is also grown widely in eastern Europe, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and, in the United States, in California and Washington. In California the variety has increased dramatically in the past 20 years in moderately warm regions, especially in high Winkler Region II to high Region III, such as central Napa Valley, as well as in Region IV, such as Lodi in the northern San Joaquin Valley. Recently Cabernet Sauvignon was shown to be a cross between Cabernet franc and Sauvignon blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon often produces blind buds, typically in the mid-cane region, nodes 6 through 10 on a 12-node cane. This is a particular problem in the training phase when long canes are laid out on the fruiting wire to become cordons. Blind buds on those canes preclude normal spacing of spurs. Latent shoot production is prodigious, and shoot thinning removes unwanted shoots at the base of two-node spurs or at the head of cane-pruned vines. Cabernet Sauvignon is used exclusively for high-quality to middle-quality, dry table wines. Small amounts may be blended into Merlot or Cabernet franc wines to provide more tannin structure. Grapes grown in areas too cool for the variety can develop a highly undesirable herbaceous or “green bell pepper” aroma in very shaded conditions. In areas too warm for the variety, fruit will not develop normal varietal character.
Links
Variety focus: Cabernet Sauvignon was a UC Davis Extension course held on May 31, 2007 at UC Davis. This listing has details and links for videos of the speakers and their presentations in an easy-to-use format. No additional software is required. Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis is the source of Foundation grapevine material for the nursery industry, and the staff can provide information about possible sources for obtaining this stock. The National Grape Registry (NGR) contains information about varieties of wine, juice, and table grapes, raisins, and grape rootstocks available in the United States. Growers, nurseries, winemakers and researchers can find background information and source contacts for those grape varieties in this single convenient location.
Publications
Fidelibus, M, Christensen, L, Katayama, D, and Verdenal, P. 2006. Yield Components and Fruit Composition of Six 'Cabernet Sauvignon' Grapevine Selections in the Central San Joaquin Valley, California (pdf). Journal of the American Pomological Society 60(1):32-36. Sweet, N. 2008. Cabernet Sauvignon at FPS (pdf). FPS Grape Program Newsletter, Foundation Plant Services, University of California, Davis, California. pp. 16-32. Wolpert, J. 2003. Cabernet Sauvignon (PDF). Pages 36-39 in: Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Publication 3419, Oakland, CA. Buy book Wolpert, J.A., Kasimatis, A.N., and Verdegaal, P.S. 1995. Viticultural Performance of Seven Cabernet Sauvignon Clones in Northern San Joaquin Valley, CA. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 46(4): 437-431. Abstract
NGR Match
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