What snacks pair well with cabernet sauvignon?

Love cab sav? Fun fact - cabernet sauvignon was the result of a brief encounter between cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc grape varieties, way back in the 17th Century.

As a result cabernet sauvignon has inherited some pretty supple flavours and aromas; from rich red/black fruits such as dark cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, to complex herbal, woody and peppery undertones. 

It’s one of the most widely grown grape varieties across the world, and is generally big, bold, and full of life - so what kind of snacks can it handle? Here’s our top picks. 

Beef Jerky

Steak is a hall-of-fame pairing with cabernet sauvignon, so if we’re going down the snack route, beef jerky makes the ultimate sense. The chewiness of the jerky holds up to the tannin structure of the cab. The gaminess compliments the cassis. The pepper holds up to the mint and classic eucalypt of a Coonawarra cab sav.

Corn chips

Cheddar cheese corn chips pair well with the wine’s delicious cherry and blackcurrant flavours. But, sour cream flavours also make the fruit sweetness in cab sav really pop out. It’s robust and can handle those big, bold, intense flavours - so don’t be faint of heart when dealing with more powerful chip flavours. 

Veggies and dip

Opt for more bitter vegetable snacks with cab sav. Switch up bruschetta toppings by adding roasted broccoli or brussels sprouts, and black olive tapenade with celery for dipping is pure class. The bitterness in these veggies evenly balances cabernet sauvignon's bitter tannins.

Pretzels

The mighty pretzel has a stronger, nuttier flavour than your standard potato chips, so they can stand up to a bigger wine like cabernet sauvignon.

Bold cheeses

Wines with a long finish, such as cabernet sauvignon, demand cheeses with complex flavours that can stand up to that finish, and aged cheddars tend to be the best pairing for various styles of cabernet sauvignon. Cab sav can have the ability to age well, and if in doubt, choose aged cheddar. Colby, gouda, roquefort, stilton, gorgonzola or other blue cheeses are also fabulous choices. Play with a couple of combos and see what you like best.

Dark chocolate

This flirty and delicious duo works phenomenally because the chocolate mellows the tannins in the wine, but rich, dark cabernet sauvignon has enough fruit and structure to withstand the boldness of the chocolate. Stick on a classic film like The Castle and you've got yourself a perfect night in.

Hungry to shop cab sav wines online now, mofo? We've got you covered.