Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape they use to make red wine.  It’s French for “King of Grapes,” or at least that’s what you can tell your date.  It tends to be more flavorful than most red wine.  That can be good or bad.

The most important thing you need to know about this wine is how to pronounce it.  It’s an old French trick to spell things funny so Americans sound like idiots when they pronounce them correctly using American English.

CAB * ER * NAY – SAW * VAY * NON is close enough.  Try to memorize that.  If you are in a restaurant and forget, you can call it “Cab.”  “Can you recommend a good Cab?” you may ask without embarrassment.  If the waiter says “Checkered,” he is dumber than you.  Another way to pronounce this wine is to just say it fast and mumble the last part.  That’s what most people do.

You are supposed to pair Cabernet Sauvignon with red meat like thick steaks and prime rib, but only in fancy restaurants.  If you’re a guy, don’t pair it with brisket, because you’ll be in a Southern Bar-B-Que joint.  Pair brisket with a Jack and Coke.