Cabernet-Sauvignon
This red grape variety of French origin, from the region of Bordeaux, is unquestionably the most international wine-making grape variety and can currently be found in all wine producing countries throughout the world.
It was brought into Navarre at the end of the eighties and now accounts for some 15% of the total Designation of Origin surface area, some 2,700 hectares. Although present in all sub-zones, it is most widely grown in the Ribera Alta and Tierra Estella.
This variety is primarily noted for its high content of polyphenols, colouring matter and tannins which give full-bodied, intense-coloured wines, and also for its good acidity. It is greatly appreciated for making wines for ageing, which are generally barrel aged, and also as an essential complement of the "coupages" (blends of different varieties of wine). It is important to harvest the grapes when fully ripe as, otherwise, unripe grapes tend to give herbaceous flavours, bitterness and aromas normally typified as "green pepper".
Agricultural data
Vegetative cycle
- Late bud-break.
- Flowering during the second fortnight in June.
- Veraison mid-August.
- Ripening during the 3rd period in early October.
- Semi-long cycle.
Pests and diseases
- Certain rusticity, only slightly susceptible to mildew and excoriose.
- The thickness and hardness of the berry skin makes it resistant to botrytis.
- Susceptible to oidium.
Habitat
- The rusticity of this variety allows it to easily adapt to different climatic conditions.
- Soils of a medium consistency, with good water retention capacity, deep and cool.
- Thermal region II - III.
- Certain wind resistance.
Cluster
- Small, long and conical - cylindrical with an average weight of 125 gr. / cluster.
- Small, black berry with a hard, thick skin.
Yield
- Trellis training is advisable.
- Medium yield on a regular basis, year after year.
Source: EVENA
