Of all the grapes used to make red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon is easily the most popular option among winemakers. It is one grape that will surely result in a finely aged wine and it is also a wine which is guaranteed to improve as it gets much older. It can easily grow from a wine that is young and good to an excellent and superior wine with the most delightful of aromas. Sometimes it smells like blackcurrant and at other times it smells of cedar, flowers and even fruit. Other people claim new Cabernet Sauvignon wine smells like new leather, a taste which tends to smoothen out as the wine ages.

Some of the most profitable red wines made in the California are made from this popular grape out of all the red grapes available. These grapes were initially grown in the winemaking region of Bordeaux in France. Studies have been carried out which have tried to ascertain the true origins of this grape. Research however has shown that its origins can easily be traced to grapes such as the Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes tend to be small and round, they tend to have very thick skins as well. This factor makes them more resistant to disease than any other form of grapes. These thicker skins mean that during the rains where many grapes experience damage, they stay free from harm. These grapes tend to ripen a little later than most other grapes but they have the characteristics necessary for great winemaking. It also adds to the reasons why the grape is popular among people on a global scale.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes tend to grow in areas where the weather is sufficiently warm enough but not extremely hot. The climate should be dry because this tends to give rise to a longer growing season. In terms of the soil, it shouldn’t be too fertile as this will result in the grapes not growing too well. If the weather is too cool or too hot or if the soil is overtly rich and if there is not enough sunlight or if the grapes are picked too soon, it will affect the quality of the grapes.

The popularity of the grape started as far back as the 1960′s. It’s a popularity was due to two reasons. One of these factors was due to the flavor of the grape and people felt at the time that the grape would become a collector’s item. These speculators were proved right and in time the wine attained the expected collectors’ status. It became so popular among a number of socialites as well as the nouveau riche who always want to remain in style. Regardless of the sort of aroma that you prefer, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes will always result in excellent wine. This is a fact whether you’re planning to make wine to serve to friends and family or you’re trying to make your own brand of wine which you’ll later put up in one store or the other for sale.

Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for Caffeine Zone, Low Carb This, and Eating Bacon!

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What does a wine cellar do? Think before you answer, because you need to be absolutely certain of the purpose of a wine cellar before you begin to build a wine cellar of your own. Increasingly, given the rising number of wine aficionados around the world, a residential wine cellar is gaining ground as a status symbol for both the mature connoisseur as well as the entry-level enthusiast, but its utility extends far beyond that.

Essentially, a wine cellar is a storage space that protects wine from potentially damaging external influences. Because wine is a natural, perishable food product, it is vulnerable to exposure mainly from heat, light, and humidity. However, if stored properly, wines not only retain their quality, but also improve with regard to aroma, flavor, and richness as they mature.

Building your own wine cellar
Before you begin, remember that the ideal wine cellar must provide constant temperature, humidity, and darkness. Add to that well-ventilated and clean surroundings, and your favorite Chardonnay and Cabernet are in good hands. So what are the basic steps to keep in mind?

- The more you research, the better your chances of building the perfect wine cellar. The Internet offers a vast number of sites that offer wine cellar kits. Prices for these kits may range from USD 2000 to about 4000, but that’s a slightly conservative estimate, and process can increase depending on the quality of your wine cellar racks. Bottom line: don’t scrimp on costs because ultimately, your expensive wines will suffer.

- Depending on the size of your house, you may choose to place your wine cellar below or above ground. Obviously, those with larger houses can accommodate wine cellars above ground, but the basement is the safest bet because it will support the combined weight of the cooler and the racks.

- Your area selected, begin work on insulation. All inner walls must have at least R-11 insulation while outer walls and the ceiling must have at least R-19. If you choose the basement, a vapor barrier with a concrete sealant over it will be adequate for the floor. The vapor barrier – usually a 6mm polyethylene plastic sheet – should face outward (the ‘warm’ side of the cellar), as opposed to the ‘cold’ side. This is something you have to be careful of: if the sheeting faces inward, damp will set in and damage the walls.

- Next, install a door. The ideal door must be solid, windowless, and insulated – NOT wooden, because they are not adequately insulated. Also ensure that the weather stripping is adequate and the door is airtight.

- A very important step is to place the cooler, which is ideally placed at the back of the area for aesthetic purposes! Typically, the cooler should be placed between crosswise boards about 6 inches down from the ceiling.

- Finally, finish the walls and lights. Use a drywall to finish off the walls and cover up with durable strip paneling. When installing the lights, avoid recessed lights because they make the cellar less than airtight. Aim for simplicity and you’ll be ok. But remember, light switches are best placed outside, or else they get in the way of your wine racks.

Brewing our own wine at home is really simple and easy. www.wandillawine.com Here are 2 six gallon batches fermenting in the closet under the stairs. Six gallons of Pinot Grigio and six gallons of Cabernet blend.