Mimicking a Cabernet
- Thread starter cabeasle
- Start date
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You could do a cab-pyment, that's about as close as you could possibley get since that actually is going to be mostly the wine you're wanting to mimic. 
Dark berry mels, blueberry, elderberry, etc can be very similar to a red wine, especially if using RC212 yeast in my experience. As far as really nailing what you're looking for the only real answer is going to be to start with either a pyment or a dark berry melomel and just start experimenting and tweaking over time.
Dark berry mels, blueberry, elderberry, etc can be very similar to a red wine, especially if using RC212 yeast in my experience. As far as really nailing what you're looking for the only real answer is going to be to start with either a pyment or a dark berry melomel and just start experimenting and tweaking over time.
In addition to simply adding Cab Sauv grapes, you could take a traditional mead and add in the flavors that you enjoy. For example you might add basil, nutmeg and hot chiles for an earthy spice character. The closer you want your mead to be to the wine, the more likely it is that you'll need to add grapes, but you can have a lot of fun toying with flavors if you're willing to push the boundaries of what defines your intended flavor profile.
If you don't want to do a pyment, a big berry melomel can come close to a cabernet. Wayneb's "Filleul de la Nuit" brewlog in the Patron's area is a recipe which you might want to look at. If you use 4+ pound of berries per gallon, you'll get something with a full body, especially if you are using elderberries which will give the tannins needed. To get the aroma and flavor, currants are needed. I think blueberry or blackberry can be used for the rest - I'd keep raspberry out (too much tutti-fruitti with raspberry). Using a "spicier" honey might get you even a little closer to a cab than using orange blossom. So yes, you can produce something that will resemble a cabernet.
Excellent point. I don't think much about black raspberry because we don't see them down here, but I expect they would be good in a cab-like recipe.
My rattlesnakefarm berries seem to have had a lot of tannin. That batch went very dry, but still with a deep dark raspberry flavor.
When I think about cabernets, firm tannins and oak presence come to mind. The New World cabs are more fruity, the old world cabs are more tannic. You may be interested in some of the many ways to add tannins and oak to your mead.
