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Cabernet Reigns Supreme: A World of Delicious Pairings

For cozy evenings by the fire or paired with hearty winter dishes, a rich Cabernet Sauvignon is an ideal choice. This robust red wine offers warmth and complexity that perfectly complements the colder months.

Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as the world's most widely planted grape variety, and wines produced from it are among the most popular globally. Its more delicate, yet charming and aromatic cousin, Cabernet Franc, also enjoys a dedicated following. These versatile wines and their blends offer delicious pairings with a wide range of foods. However, to elevate your wine dinner experience, choosing the perfect match is key.

The name Sauvignon likely derives from the French word for "savage". Cabernet Sauvignon, true to its name, boasts bold flavors with a strong, distinctive character familiar to many. Dark fruits and berries such as blackberry, cherry, and blackcurrant take center stage, complemented by the alluring aromas imparted by oak barrels – vanilla, tobacco, and spices. It offers a creamy mouthfeel, with flavors that coat the palate and leave a lasting impression.

Cabernet Franc grapes produce wines known for their fruit-forward character and distinctive herbal notes. Common flavor profiles include black cherry, raspberry, and black pepper. Compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc wines tend to be lighter-bodied with a slightly lower alcohol content. This makes them a good choice for those who prefer a more refreshing red wine.

Cabernet's flavor profile can vary depending on the grape's origin. Cooler climates or higher altitudes tend to produce wines with grassy or cedary hints. Conversely, warmer regions with sun-drenched grapes yield denser wines with a more pronounced fruitiness. These variations are worth considering when pairing food with your Cabernet.

Israel exemplifies this concept, with wineries located in both the cool, mountainous north and the hot, arid south. Consequently, Israeli Cabernet can exhibit characteristics of both styles depending on the winery location. Despite these variations, all Israeli Cabernet Sauvignons share some core traits. They are typically full-bodied wines with moderate acidity and noticeable tannins. These characteristics are crucial factors when choosing the perfect food pairing.

Red Meat Revelry: Cabernet Sauvignon's Savage Sip

Cabernet isn't just a wine - it's a partner in crime for a delicious dining experience. Its bold tannins make it a natural companion for red meat, especially well-marbled cuts of beef or lamb. The richness of these meats helps balance the wine's tannins, while the high acidity of the wine cut through fat, cleansing your palate for a delightful experience with every bite.

Beef: Your Guide to Cabernet Pairings

New York Strip: This popular steak boasts a robust beef flavor and just enough fat to be a perfect match for Cabernet Sauvignon. Pelter T-Selection Cabernet Sauvignon would be a top contender. This full-bodied wine boasts a very rich fruit flavor, supported by hints of anise, raisins, and earthy minerals. The pairing elevates your enjoyment of both the steak and the wine.

Prime Rib: A hearty dish like prime rib demands a rich red wine, and Cabernet Sauvignon rises to the occasion beautifully. For the ideal flavor combination, opt for steaks cooked rare to medium-rare, allowing the juicy tenderness to shine. Pair this with an aged Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon, and prepare to be swept away by a symphony of flavor in every bite.

Filet Mignon: Don't shy away from pairing Cabernet with leaner cuts! Choose a lighter style Cabernet like Ramat Negev Cabernet Franc with its full body and softer tannins to complement the delicate flavor of filet mignon. This wine's plush tannins and rich plums and red berries with herbal hint notes will beautifully complement the tender meat. A rich balsamic glaze or a dark mushroom sauce could further enhance this delicious pairing.

Beyond Steaks: Beef Stew

Cabernet Sauvignon isn't limited to just steaks! Beef stew, a hearty and comforting dish, also pairs exceptionally well with Cab. The wine's bold character complements the richness of the slow-cooked stew, creating a delightful harmony. Consider a medium-bodied Cab, like Ramat Negev Kadesh Barnea Cabernet Sauvignon, for the perfect match.

Kofta Kebabs: A Match Made in the Mediterranean

Kofta kebabs, traditionally skewered and seasoned ground meat, pair beautifully with Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon. Whether crafted with beef or lamb, these flavorful kebabs find harmony with the wine's bold character. Accompanied by fresh vegetables and a cool, refreshing tzatziki sauce, with a few sprigs of mint for an extra touch, the dish becomes a symphony of Mediterranean flavors. Somek Bikat Hanadiv, a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the Mediterranean shore winery, exemplifies a perfect match for this delectable dish.

Moussaka: A Mediterranean Duet with Cabernet

Moussaka, a layered masterpiece of eggplant, ground meat (or lentils for a vegetarian option!), creamy béchamel sauce, and spices, creates a delightful harmony with any Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon. Eggplant's slight bitterness can be a virtue when paired with a tannic wine like Cabernet. The two elements balance each other out, leaving you with a smooth and rich wine experience.

A Flawless Pairing: Lamb & Cabernet

Roasted or grilled lamb is another fantastic companion for Cabernet Sauvignon. Lamb's complex flavors find beautiful balance with the wine's tannins and fruttiness. Similar to beef, lamb's richness and fattiness benefit from Cabernet's structure, while the wine's fruit notes enhance the overall flavor profile. If you're feeling adventurous, try pairing your lamb with rosemary and thyme. These common accompaniments to lamb further enhance this delightful pairing by echoing Cabernet Sauvignon's herbal notes, creating a symphony of flavors that explodes on your palate.

If you're looking for a specific recommendation, consider Ein Teia Talia’s blend from the Golan Heights. This unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot offers a complexity and depth of ripe fruit flavors with a hint of spice, and its fine tannins are a perfect match for lamb.

Uncorking Unexpected Delights: Red Wines for Chicken

While white wines are traditionally paired with chicken and poultry, there are ways to make them work beautifully with bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, or even better, its slightly more delicate cousin, Cabernet Franc. The key lies in the cooking method - grilling or braising chicken can bring out flavors that complement the bold tannins and fruitiness of red wines.

Mediterranean Matchmaker: Roasted Chicken & Israeli Cab

A perfectly roasted chicken, with its crispy skin and juicy meat, can be a fantastic companion for any full-bodied red wine, including Cabernet. Take it a step further and try a Lebanese-style roast chicken. This dish, popular in the eastern Mediterranean, features a unique blend of spices that beautifully complements the fruit and tannins of Israeli Cabernet. Serve it alongside Israeli couscous for a truly delightful and flavorful pairing.

Cabernet & Chicken: A Saucy Symphony

Chicken dishes featuring tomato-based sauces are another excellent option for Cabernet Sauvignon pairings. The rich tomato sauce adds weight to the dish, creating a better match for the wine's full body. Plus, the acidity in the tomato sauce helps to balance the tannins in the Cabernet. Adding ingredients like mushrooms and peppers further enhances the pairing by introducing additional flavor layers. For an even more robust match, consider a tomato sauce with a strong garlic presence - these bolder flavors can stand up to the powerful character of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Turkey and Cranberry: A Classic Redefined

Roasted turkey with cranberry sauce might not be the first dish that comes to mind when thinking about Cabernet Sauvignon pairings. However, the bright acidity and sweetness of the cranberry sauce can create a surprisingly delightful match with the wine's fruit notes. For an unexpected and delicious twist, try a medium-bodied Julia Cabernet Sauvignon from Western Galilee. Its softer tannins and aromas of chocolate, cherries, and mint beautifully complement the pairing of turkey and cranberry sauce. The combination is both unexpected and delicious!

Cabernet Sauvignon: A Vegetarian Delight

While many consider Cabernet Sauvignon a red meat-only wine, it can also be a fantastic companion for vegetarian dishes, particularly those with robust flavors and heartier textures. Think mushrooms or hearty vegetables like eggplant. Here are some delicious pairings to explore:

Eggplant Parmesan: A Match of Textures

Eggplant Parmesan is a fantastic vegetarian option for any Cabernet, especially Sauvignon. Eggplant's slight bitterness and the richness of cheese are both welcome companions to Cabernet. The savory, cheesy, and herbaceous character of this dish complements the wine beautifully. The soft and creamy texture of the eggplant also provides a pleasing contrast to the wine's tannins. Each bite is a symphony of textures and tastes, and Israeli Cabernet elevates the experience even further.

Stuffed Mushrooms Symphony

Grilled or baked portobello mushrooms, bursting with delicious fillings like cheese, butternut squash, tomatoes, and herbs are a culinary delight. To elevate this dish even further, pair it with a complex and aromatic wine like Pelter Cabernet Franc. The full-bodied Cab Franc beautifully complements the savory flavors of the stuffing, while also enhancing the earthy notes of the mushrooms. Packed with aromas of bell pepper, white pepper, pecan, and tobacco, Pelter Cabernet Franc creates a symphony of flavor with every bite.

Mushroom Risotto: Creamy Comfort Meets Bold Wine

Mushroom risotto is another vegetarian gem that pairs exceptionally well with both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This luxuriously creamy dish, featuring rice, parmesan cheese, and an assortment of mushrooms, offers a delightful meeting of textures and tastes. The wine's acidity acts like a magic wand, cutting through the richness of the risotto and allowing you to savor every single bite. Meanwhile, the creaminess of the dish helps soften the Cabernet's tannins, creating a harmonious balance. Finally, the bold flavors of the wine beautifully complement the earthiness of the mushrooms, resulting in a truly satisfying and complex pairing.

Garden Harmony: Cabernet Franc & Roasted Vegetables

Cabernet Franc's herbal notes and bright acidity pair beautifully with a wider variety of roasted vegetables, including red peppers, mushrooms, spinach, arugula, and roasted or grilled eggplant.

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes: Earthy Delights

Simple yet flavorful, rosemary roasted potatoes are another unexpected vegetarian option that pairs beautifully with Israeli Cabernet, particularly those crafted in cooler regions like the Golan Heights. A specific example is Pelter Trio, a beautifully crafted blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fragrant rosemary, these potatoes offer a delicious contrast to the wine's bold character. Rosemary's pungent, earthy notes beautifully complement the Pelter Trio’s herbal notes, making it a surprisingly delightful combination. Rosemary truly makes almost any dish more red wine friendly!

Salads with a Fruity Twist

While Cabernet Sauvignon might overpower a simple green salad, it can be a fantastic match for salads with bolder ingredients. Salads featuring red fruits or a fruit-based dressing can create a delightful harmony with the wine's fruity aromas and flavors. Think fall options or a classic steak and blue cheese salad – both can be surprisingly delicious pairings for an enjoyable wine like Assaf Cabernet Sauvignon Silver. This wine boasts alluring aromas of plum, blueberries, violets, and a hint of fresh mint and dried figs, the perfect finishing touch to every mouthful of your salad.

Grains & Grapes

Cabernet can be a delightful match for Middle Eastern grain salads, like a Green Beans and Freekeh Salad with Tahini Sauce. Cabernet Sauvignon’s profile complements the smokiness of freekeh and its nutty texture, creating an intricate impression. Bulgur salads with fresh herbs and vegetables, reminiscent of Yotam Ottolenghi's style, can be a great match with Cabernet Franc, especially with a herb dressing that echoes the Franc's herbal character.

Italian Food

Perhaps it's no surprise that East Mediterranean wines, like Israeli Cabernet, work marvelously well with Italian cuisine. Tomato sauce, a cornerstone of Italian cooking, boasts a natural acidity. To avoid tasting bland alongside the food, the accompanying wine needs a similar level of acidity. This is where Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc shine. Their bright acidity, honed by the warm eastern Mediterranean sunshine, beautifully complements the tang of tomato sauce, whether you're enjoying pizza, pasta, or lasagna. This creates a delightful harmony on your palate, elevating your entire Italian food experience.

Pizza Perfection

From classic cheese pizzas to gourmet creations, Israeli Cabernet elevates your pizza experience. This bold red wine pairs exceptionally well with melted cheese. For a vegetarian option, vibrant peppers and mushrooms complement the wine beautifully. Meat lover's pizzas overflowing with savory toppings find a perfect match as well. For a truly delightful surprise, try your pizza with a complex, fruity, and spicy Kishor Kerem Red crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grapes.

Pasta Paradise

Who knew a simple pasta marinara could be elevated by Cabernet Sauvignon? This Italian staple allows the quality of the tomato sauce and the wine to truly shine. Ramat Negev Kadesh Barnea Negev wine, a skillfully crafted blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Cabernet Franc, pairs beautifully with marinara. The wine's bright acidity cuts through the tanginess of the tomato sauce, creating a delightful harmony on your palate.

Cabernet and cheese: A Heavenly Match

And last, but not least, we come to the classic wine and cheese pairing. Cabernet Sauvignon makes a perfect sidekick to semi-hard, aged varieties like cheddar, Gouda, and Gruyère. These cheeses boast a high enough fat content, allowing them to balance the tannins in the wine. Additionally, their aging helps to coax out the wine's fruity notes. A stronger blue cheese like Roquefort is a delicious choice, too. It’s tangy, salty, and intense, making it an ideal match for a more intense wine. 

Here's a quick guide to finding your ideal cheese match:

Aged Cheddar: Pair a mature cheddar with a similarly aged Cabernet Sauvignon for a powerful flavor combination. For a lighter experience, enjoy a younger cheddar with a younger Cabernet.
Gouda & Gruyère: These semi-hard cheeses offer a delightful balance with most Cabernet Sauvignons.
Blue Cheese: Roquefort is a classic choice, but explore other strong blue cheeses for a unique adventure.

For goat cheese lovers, Cabernet Franc pairs beautifully. It also complements young pecorino and other young sheep cheeses.

A Bonus Delight: Cabernet's Sweet Seduction

Cabernet Sauvignon has a surprising secret weapon: it can be a delightful partner for decadent desserts, particularly those featuring dark chocolate. The rich, intense flavors of dark chocolate find a beautiful counterpoint in the wine's fruit notes. But not just any Cabernet will do. Look for a rich and dense Cabernet Sauvignon with a pronounced dark berry character, like Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon.

This winery crafts its Cabernet from grapes grown in the Upper Galilee, where volcanic soils and dramatic day-night temperature swings contribute to the wine's unique fruit flavors and high quality. Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon reveals an array of currant, blackberry, and black licorice. These notes are complemented by supple tannins, creating a complex and enjoyable drinking experience. Its combination with a dark chocolate cake creates a symphony on your palate, with the dessert's sweetness balancing the wine's tannins for a truly harmonious experience.

But wait, there's more! Cabernet Franc can also be a delightful companion to certain fruit pies. Look for pies with dark or red fruits like blackberry, blueberry, cherry or strawberry. The wines’ flavors complement the tartness and sweetness of the pie filling, creating a delightful contrast and a truly satisfying finish to your meal.

The key is to choose a pie with a filling that can stand up to the boldness of the wine. This unexpected pairing adds another dimension to the versatility of Israeli Cabernet.

Cabernet pairing principles, summarized:

Finding Harmony: Food and Wine Intensity

For a truly harmonious pairing, food and wine should mirror each other's intensity. A robust wine might overwhelm a subtle meal, leaving the food bland.

However, strategic pairings can create magic. A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, can elevate a flavorful dish. And the right food can unlock hidden notes in the wine, creating a delightful synergy.

Spicy Challenges: Maintaining Balance

For this reason, pairing Cabernet with very spicy foods like Indian curries might not be ideal. Both the wine and the food can intensify each other, leading to an overly spiced dish and a burning sensation in the wine. Remember, not all flavors benefit from being intensified. The goal is to find a pairing that complements the food's existing profile, allowing both the wine and the dish to shine without overwhelming the other.

Acidity and Tannins: The Pillars of Pairing

Acidity and tannins play a crucial role in successful food and wine pairings. Cabernet with high acidity and tannins pairs beautifully with fatty cuts of meat or rich, flavorful dishes.

Temperature Matters: The Finishing Touch 

For best results, serve your wine slightly below room temperature, ideally between 55°F and 65°F.

The Best Company: Enjoying the Moment

For even better results, share your delicious dinner and the perfectly paired wine with your loved ones! Israeli wines, bursting with flavor and sunshine, are traditionally enjoyed in the company of friends and family. Just like the people who craft them, these wines reflect a spirit of warmth, generosity, and celebration. Raise a glass, share a laugh, and create memories that will linger long after the last sip.