Cabernets

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, known for its bold flavors and full-bodied characteristics
2. Referring to wines produced predominantly from specific grape varieties, particularly Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
3. A category of red wines often recognized for their high tannin content and aging potential, typically enriched with complex aromas and tastes

Etymology: "Cabernets" is simply the plural of "cabernet," so it refers to more than one kind of cabernet wine, or to several bottles or varieties of it. The singular word was borrowed from French, where "cabernet" names the grape family behind some of the world's best-known red wines, and English took it over with the wine itself. The grape's name is the more interesting part of the story, though the source offers no details on its origin, so the wine's history stays beyond what can be confirmed here. What can be said is that the French form ends in a diminutive-looking suffix, and that the word has come to label an entire category of red wine rather than a single vineyard or region.

Synonyms: wines, varietals, reds, grapes, beverages