Cabernet

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A specific variety of red wine grape that yields robust, tannic wines known for their depth and aging potential
2. An esteemed type of wine made from a particular grape known for its rich character and ability to pair well with hearty dishes
3. A distinguished red wine made from a unique grape variety recognized for its bold flavors and suitability for long aging

Etymology: The French "cabernet" is a diminutive, a little name for something in the same family as a bigger word. Its root is the grape-growing vocabulary of France, where the "-et" ending was attached to plant names to pick out a smaller or lesser variety. English borrowed the term from French, and it arrived as the name of a grape rather than of a finished wine, so the wine took its name from the vine. The word therefore carries the French habit of naming things by their relation to one another. Cabernet is the grape, and the wine made from it is simply called by the same name, which is why a bottle label and a grape variety can share one word without any confusion among those who know the trade.

Synonyms: red wine, wine