Shiraz Vs Cabernet Sauvignon
Last Updated on August 1st, 2023
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Although Shiraz is notably sweeter, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are dry red wines. Shiraz has notes of blackberry and blueberry. In comparison, Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of black cherry, tobacco, and sometimes green bell pepper. Both wines originate from France and are still grown there today. They are also both aged wines and not consumed fresh that often.
What Is Similar About Shiraz Vs. Cabernet Sauvignon?
Both Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are red, dry, and from France. They benefit from aging in oak barrels, which gives them flavors like vanilla, tobacco, cream, coconut, or more. The specific flavor depends on the type of oak barrel and how long the wine is aged. Although Shiraz tastes much sweeter than Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s largely due to its bold, fruity flavors, and in reality, it doesn’t have much sugar. Because of their low sugar content, these wines are lower in calories than sweet ones, especially sweet white ones.
In addition, these two wines have fairly similar levels of alcohol, roughly 13.5% to 15% on the high end.
What Is The Difference Between Shiraz Vs. Cabernet Sauvignon?
A major difference between Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon is that Shiraz tends to taste much sweeter. Shiraz grapes are also grown in areas most people might consider odd, like Texas and Columbia Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is largely grown in more traditional places like France, Italy, and California.
Another difference is that as Cabernet Sauvignon ages, it can take on a bold bell pepper flavor or flavors like mint and cedar. This wine is often consumed for its more unusual flavors, although it’s hardly the weirdest. Shiraz tends to stick to its fruity flavors even as it ages.
Lastly, Cabernet Sauvignon is simply a hardier grape and can be grown in more places. Some wine connoisseurs look down on it because of how common it is, but that doesn’t mean the wine is any less delicious. After all, we place extreme value on diamonds, but it’s one of the most common precious gems on the planet.
Which One Is Sweeter Or Drier Than The Other?
Shiraz is sweeter than Cabernet Sauvignon for two reasons. First, it usually has more sugar, especially the lower quality varieties. The second reason is that it has a very fruit-forward flavor, which can trick the brain into thinking it’s sweeter than it actually is. While Cabernet Sauvignon has its own fruit flavors, it leans toward earthier and spicier ones.
Which One Has More Alcohol Content?
It’s likely not possible to make a call on which wine has more alcohol because they’re so similar in this area. If you want a tiebreaker, you might need to head to the nearest wine store and pick up specific bottles of each to compare. In addition, even though most wines stay within a certain range, there are outliers.
How Do I Choose Between Shiraz Vs. Cabernet Sauvignon?
To choose between Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, ask yourself if sweetness matters because if so, the right choice is Shiraz. If you’re trying to venture away from the typical fruity, sweet (and safe) wines, Cabernet Sauvignon is a good choice to expand your horizons. However, both wines deserve a place at the dinner table, depending on what you’re serving. Fortunately, neither has to break the bank, so it may be possible to compare them yourself.
Summary
Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are dry red wines with complex flavors that benefit greatly from aging. They have about the same amount of alcohol, and they originate from the same country, although they hail from different regions in France. Today, they’re grown in many places around the world, such as Australia and the United States.
