Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape a lot of people think of when they picture a "real" red wine: dark, dry and firm, with enough structure to stand up to a steak. It's also our best-selling wine kit. Here's what makes the Crafted Series Cabernet Sauvignon 11.5% Medium-Bodied Red Winemaking Kit so popular, and how to get the most out of every batch.
What you're making
This kit makes a dry, medium-bodied red with medium acidity, high tannin and about 11.5% potential alcohol. You get the bold, classic Cabernet character in a style that's ready sooner and easier to drink young than a heavy-bodied red.
- Finished wine: 23 L (6 US gallons)
- Bottles: about 30 standard 750 ml bottles
- Juice/concentrate pack: 5.3 L
- Style: dry, medium body, medium acidity, high tannin
What's in the box
Everything that goes into the wine: the Cabernet Sauvignon wine base, yeast, bentonite, sulphite/sorbate and fining agents. Equipment is sold separately, so if this is your first batch you'll also need a primary fermenter, a carboy, an airlock, a siphon and a hydrometer. Our wine kit instructions guide walks through each step.
Tips for a better Cabernet
1. Clean and sanitize everything
Most off-flavours in home wine come from equipment that wasn't properly cleaned. Wash your fermenter, carboy, siphon and bottles with B-Brite 3-in-1 cleaner, rinse well, and sanitize before anything touches the wine.
2. Keep the temperature steady
Ferment in a spot that stays at a steady room temperature, away from drafts, heat vents and direct sunlight. Big temperature swings stress the yeast and can slow or stall fermentation.
3. Follow the kit's timing
Take your hydrometer readings, and don't rush the stabilizing and clearing steps. A clear, stable wine bottles better and tastes cleaner.
4. Give it time in the bottle
You can drink it soon after bottling, but Cabernet's firm tannins soften with a few extra weeks, or months, of bottle age. If you can, set a few bottles aside and taste how they change.
What to pair it with
Cabernet's tannin and structure love protein and fat. Try it with grilled steak, burgers, lamb, roasted mushrooms or aged cheddar. For more ideas, see our guide to pairing wine with food.
Finish it like a pro
Thirty bottles of your own Cabernet deserve a good finish. Add wine labels, quality corks and a shrink cap to every bottle. They look great on the table and make an easy homemade gift.
Frequently asked questions
How much wine does the Cabernet Sauvignon kit make?
23 L (6 US gallons), or about 30 standard 750 ml bottles.
Is it a dry wine?
Yes. It's a dry, medium-bodied red with high tannin and about 11.5% potential alcohol.
Do I need equipment?
Yes. The kit includes all the wine ingredients, but equipment is sold separately.