Jim Barry Cabernet Sauvignon First Xi 2005 750ml

Winery: Jim Barry

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

By far and away the most recognized and widely grown red wine grape varietal in the world is the Cabernet Sauvignon. First cultivated in the 18th century in France, this wonderful cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes has long since been the most important varietal for red wines across the globe. Now grown everywhere from its native France to the furthest reaches of the New World, Cabernet Sauvignon is adored and prized by wineries for its hardiness and resistance to rot, as well as its large and sharp flavors and wonderful capability for fine aging Indeed, many of the finest wines of history and the modern age would be simply unimaginable without Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, with the famed wineries of Bordeaux and other important regions using it as the primary grape in their oak aged produce. High tannin levels, acidity and powerful flavors are the characteristics most commonly associated with this varietal, however, when blended and slowly aged, it is capable of a world of flavors and aromas unmatched by any other grape.

Region: Limestone Coast

The Limestone Coast of South Australia is one of the country's most important wine producing regions, with almost one third of all Australian wines originating there. As the name suggests, this stretch of coastline is geologically significant, being made primarily of mineral rich limestone, and thus providing plenty of nutrients for the range of grape varietals that thrive there. Interestingly, unlike many of the wine regions of Australia, the Limestone Coast has a healthy water table, meaning there is plenty of moisture below the soil, and thus solving any problems relating to irrigation that causes difficulties for wineries elsewhere in the country. Plenty of different vines flourish in this fertile region, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, and also many white wine varietals such as Chardonnay and Viognier.

Country: Australia

With over sixteen thousand hectares of Australian land now under vine, Australia has become something of a world leader in regards to wine production. One of Australia's key attributes to their success has been their willingness to leave traditional vineyard practices to one side, and develop techniques which are perfectly suited to a New World country. Modern Australian wineries take into consideration the climate and the unique soil types which cover much of their country, and have had fantastic results from cross-breeding programs and blending practices which make the most of the grape varietals which thrive most successfully there, notably the Shiraz and Chardonnay grapes. In recent years, Australia has been lauded as the 'most influential' wine producing country in the world, and the rest of the New World is looking down under for inspiration, and the ability to produce comparable fine wines on their own terrain.