Australia is internationally renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Here, winemaker Cathy Howard from Boots & All Wine (located in the Geographe wine region of Western Australia) provides an insider’s guide to the worlds most widely recognised grapes.
The Margaret River and Geographe wine regions in the south-west of Western Australia have developed a solid reputation for producing great Cabernet Sauvignon wines due to the soils and climatic conditions ideal to grow this variety. This world renowned region enjoys cool but temperate winters and the warmer weather later in the season necessary for producing beautifully ripe blackcurrant, plum and blueberry flavours.
We planted our Cabernet Sauvignon block here in 2005, and our Boots & All Geographe Cabernet 2018 is a blend of our vineyard, and a vineyard in Donnybrook which is about an hours drive north-east of us, which allows us to effortlessly achieve those ripe cabernet sauvignon characters every year.
For those that enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, here are some interesting Cabernet Sauvignon facts:
- Cabernet Sauvignon is the result of a cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, in the 17th century in France.
- It is grown on 340,000 hectares internationally, making it the most widely planted wine grape variety in the world.
- The wines from this grape variety typically have flavours of violets and blackcurrants wherever it is grown and, if matured in newish oak, can smell of cedar, cigar boxes and, sometimes, tobacco leaf.
- Cabernet Sauvignon ripens late in the season, so the best examples of Cabernet Sauvignon are from regions around the world that have warm, dry ripening conditions late in the season.
- The ‘Bordeaux blend’ is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and/or Petit Verdot.
- Cabernet Sauvignon can also be successfully blended with other grape varieties such as Sangiovese and tempranillo.
- It is mainly grown in China, France, Chile, the United States, Australia, Spain, Argentina, Italy, and South Africa.
Visiting the Geographe Region
The Geographe region is one of Australia’s most interesting and diverse wine regions. Filled with vineyards dotted along small, winding roads, Geographe is a must-visit for wine lovers and is located a short 40 minute drive from the Margaret River.
Where to stay
The Comfort Inn Busselton River Resort is the perfect base from which to explore the Geographe and Margaret River wine regions of South Australia. Choice Privileges members enjoy a Lowest Price Guarantee on all stays booked with Choice Hotels.
Interested in learning more about wine region long weekends?
For more vineyard-inspired long weekend destination ideas, check out our guide to the best places to try organic & biodynamic wines around Australia.
Boots & All Wine
Boots & All Wine is created by Cathy and Neil, two local viticulturists who run their own brilliant Geographe vineyard in Western Australia. Cathy & Neil specialise in small batch boutique wines which are full of varietal flavour from grapes grown in ancient soils.
Boots & All Wine is available exclusively from Naked Wines.
Learn more about Boots & All wine here.
