The Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most popular wines. It is a wine that is full bodied, and it has medium tannins. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that is best paired with food because it has a high level of acidity. Even though there are no rules with wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon can be a little bit much on its own.

The Past and Present of Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape that got its start in France. It began by accident. Two grapes were bred together, and one was the Cabernet Franc which is red and the Sauvignon blanc which is white. From this combination came the Cabernet Sauvignon. Once this combination was discovered, winemakers throughout France began to plant this grape; it is a grape that is easy to grow, and it highly durable. Winemakers were also found of this grape because it works well in Oak. The Cabernet Sauvignon is stored in Oak; Oak helps this wine’s flavor to get heightened and beautified. The Oak storage practice is what gives the Cabernet Sauvignon it’s full body. Cabernet Sauvignon also goes great blended with different grapes; it is commonly blended with a Merlot. This blend makes the Bordeaux wine. This is the most famous wine in all around the world.

Why We Love the Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon began to be planted in countries outside of France beginning in the 1970s. It became popular in California’s Napa Valley, and soon it was being ordered in restaurants all around the world. Cabernet Sauvignon is also grown in countries such as Chile and Australia. This is the wine that has over 13.5% alcohol content. Depending on the place where the grape is grown, it may contain a little bit more or less alcohol. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that it is dry, and it is rich in tannins. The flavors of the Cabernet Sauvignon are generally fruity with a hint of tobacco and vanilla. These are the flavors that come out after being stored in Oak. The Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in countries such as Chile and Australia. It is a wine that has developed over time. Its flavor has gotten even more bold, and its popularity continues to grow.

To go with your order of pan seared scallops and yuzo kosho beurre blanc, might I recommend a 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, 2008 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Spätlese Riesling, or perhaps a Bota Box 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon out of California.

You may have noticed that one of those things is somewhat unlike the other–yes the last item on that list is a 2012 wine–but there’s another aspect of the Bota Box that may be given away by its name–it’s a boxed wine. Oh, and it scored 84/100 according to Wine Enthusiast, and was labeled a best buy.

Box wines in general get a bad rep. They’re often seen as lower class due to their relatively low price point and, well, the fact that they come in cardboard boxes. But there are, in fact, boxed wines that are both drinkable and amazingly good buys for their price. Here are a few of the finest boxed wines available right now.

FishEye Pinot Grigio

Not all FishEye wine comes in boxes, but the Pinot Grigio that they offer in the colorful 3L box is not one to pass up if you’re on a budget. With notes of peaches and citrus and tropical fruits, an ideal pairing should you choose to indulge in some FishEye are varieties of seafood based dishes or Asian-inspired dishes like pot stickers or Korean BBQ.

Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon

As I mentioned above, the 2012 Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon scored an impressive 84 according to Wine Enthusiast, and at just $23 for a 3L bag, the price is tough to beat. The notes on this box call back memories of blackberries and cherries with an almost spicy finishing note.

Bandit Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon

Bandit is a mainstay on most “best boxed wine” lists due to the great price (the 500ML boxes of wine are just $4!), the wonderful flavor notes and the consistently high scores and rave reviews.

Both the chardonnay and Sauvignon on this list scored 84 according to Wine Enthusiast, praising the balanced flavors and overall draw of the brand.

When crafting the perfect wine, a good amount of time, money and effort goes into perfecting the flavors to bring out the notes at just the right level, allowing them to be pleasing without being overpowering. Another good bit of the cost of a good bottle of wine, however, is the bottle. These boxed wines above thrive on the theory that the less money they have to spend on the packaging, the more they can put into creating a delicious wine. If these four are any indication, the boxed wine industry is succeeding.

-Yuri Vanetik

As most folks know, there is nothing better than a perfect glass of wine. Whether it’s having a glass at an intimate dinner or enjoying a glass to unwind after a long day at the office, a wonderful-tasting wine makes any day better. While there are now wines available from virtually every state in the United States, most wine experts agree California is still king when it comes to fine wine. If you’re wanting to quench your thirst with a great California wine, here are some of the best varieties on today’s market.

Quintessa Napa Valley
Costing less than $200 per bottle, this unique blend adds up to create perhaps the best California wine ever consumed. A bordeaux-style blend of cabaret, cabernet, and merlot, Quintessa Napa Valley had a unique taste all its own. Priced a t $169 per bottle, it’s considered to be quite affordable as well as delicious.

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow
For those who want a blend that combines anise and red cherries, there’s no better choice than Diamond Creek. Offering a compelling scent, this wine regularly sells for $220 per bottle and is sought after for its delicious scent and taste that is unique within the wine world.

Beringer Private Reserve
A Napa Valley blend combining fruit from six different vineyards, Beringer Private Reserve has set the standard for Cabernet wines since 1977. A wine that ages as gracefully as any on the market, the black currant is the perfect choice for those who want to purchase many bottles that will be placed in a cellar for several years. With an average price of $131 per bottle, it’s affordable enough for virtually anyone who enjoys an exquisite bottle of wine.

Corison Kronos
A cabernet that is vividly aromatic and cassis-scented, this wine is the product of 30-year-old vines from acclaimed winemaker Cathy Corison and is highly sought-after by collectors from around the world. At a cost of $170 per bottle, it’s considered a bargain among those who know good wine when they see it and taste it.

No matter which of these wines you prefer, chances are you’ll be making a purchase that is well worth the cost. Whether you have Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow, Corison Kronos, or Beringer Private Reserve, you’ll not only have a wine that can age well in a cellar, but also one that will taste great if consumed with tonight’s dinner.

Wine was first developed during prehistoric times. Archaeologists have found evidence of wine-making in China that dates back as far as 7000 BC! Back then, tribes living in the Yellow River in what is now the Henan Province in central China stored wine in earthernware jars. They had made the wine out of fermented rice, fruit and honey.

Archaeologists have hypothesized that while early humans probably picked and ate grapes, wine and winemaking did not really start until the Neolithic Revolution between 10,000 and 8000 BC. During this time, humans had transitioned from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a settled lifestyle and developed agriculture. Early attempts at storing grapes may have resulted in the grapes fermenting and producing a low-grade alcohol. Wine may have therefore been a happy accident that people gradulaly learned to deliberately induce.

Researchers found the first evidence of domesticated grapes in 6000 BC near the village Imri in the Republic of Georgia. They also found grape seeds at other, younger sites in Georgia; the oldest dated back to around 5000 BC.

The oldest-known winery was found in Armenia, and it dates back to 4100 BC. Archaeologists found fermentation vats, jars and a wine press at the site. They also found seeds and vines from the wine grape Vitis vinifera. As one researcher noted, such sophisticated equipment indicated that people had developed wine-making technology much earlier.

Archaeologists have also found buried wine vessels from around 4000 BC in sites in Georgia, Iran, Israel and Armenia. Wine-makers in these countries had buried wine vessels to let the wine age – a technique still used in Georgia, where the vessels are called “kvevri.” There, people make orange wine out of white grapes. The ancient Georgians had lined the vessels with beeswax, and they buried the vessels to ensure an even temperature during fermentation. Modern orange wines are left in their vessels for four days to over a year.

The first written descriptions of wine and grapes are found in “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” a Sumerian epic poem that dates back to the third millennium BC. Researchers have also found ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics that described wine as a drink reserved for priests, the pharaoh and state officials.

The oldest known grape variety still in existence might be the Muscat grape, which is believed to be about 3000 years old. It is thought to have originated in Greece. The ancient Greeks and the later Romans gradually spread it throughout Europe. Cleopatra is said to have been very fond of a white wine called Muscat of Alexandria – which is still made today.

Wine and travel; a craved luxury most connoisseurs get to experience. You can enjoy wine tasting at all the best wineries in the best wine regions of the U.S. Travel for a long weekend and visit one winery, or take a few weeks off to travel to them all. Pour yourself a glass and plan your visit.

Thrillist.com compiled a list of the Best US Wine Regions to Visit ranked by real sommeliers, and here’s everything you need to know about the top 5.

5. Charlottesville/Central Virginia

In the heart of Virginia and Charlottesville, you’ll find a cluster of amazing wineries. Along with a full glass, you’ll have the views of rolling countrysides and even stunning foliage in the right season. With over 300 wineries to choose from, 78 are located within central Virginia. The mountainous area in the Mid-Atlantic region provides affordable and enticing activities for a getaway to VA wineries. Be sure to check out the Governor’s Cup awarded wine for the best wine in VA.

4. Napa Valley, CA

If you love wine, you’ve heard of Napa Valley. Home to hundreds of wineries (just look at the map) you’ll have plenty of options to choose from to satisfy your wine needs. You can plan an overnight stay at some wineries in Napa, or visit a quaint hotel not far away. 95% of the wineries in Napa are family owned, making for a comfortable visit and homey experience. You’ll certainly enjoy the swirl, sniff and sip of wine tasting in Napa. A few of the top wineries in this valley are: Beringer Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Chimney Rock Winery, and Trinchero Family Estates.

3. Sonoma County, CA

With over 425 wineries just a weekend getaway’s drive from the coast, Sonoma County is full of high quality wine. The California weather allows for visits year round with sites to see and wine to taste. Sonoma County offers public events and festivals that attract visits from all over the country. A few wineries in this region you should check out among the numerous awarded wineries are Rodney Strong Vineyards, Paradise Ridge Winery, Buena Vista Winery and St. Francis Winery & Vineyards.

2. Willamette Valley, OR

The scenic views of the Cascade Mountains will give you plenty to see on your ride to Willamette Valley. Not far from the city of Portland, you can plan day trips or weekend getaways to wineries in Willamette Valley. Known for it’s world class Pinot Noir, you can experience breathtaking landscapes as you sip from your glass. Expect to be impressed when you visit because Willamette Valley won 2016’s wine region of the year.

1. Finger Lakes, NY

As a smaller region with only a little over 100 wineries, New York is up and coming in the wine world. Live like a sommelier on the East Coast in the Finger Lakes during your visit. For a more quaint wine weekend, this is the place to go. Most of the tourists in New York are attracted to the city, leaving the Finger Lakes a quiet, more relaxing area. Long, thin lakes surround the vineyards (hence where this region gets its name) with gorgeous views. Whether it’s summer and you kayak on the lake or it’s winter and you cozy by the fire, you’ll have an amazing wine tasting visit in this wine country.

If you’re a wine enthusiast, these are the places to go for wine. With stunning views and top notch quality, you’ll love the experience of tasting crafted wine in the best regions in the nation.

The production of wine is big business in the 21st century. This particular industry produces wine that come from all over the globe. Soil, climate and fermentation plays a key role in the wine’s taste, and all wineries aren’t created equal. Here are some of California’s best wineries.

1. Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards is stunning with its unobstructed views of the Santa Rita Hills. This region is well-known for its pinot noir, and this particular winery appeared in the movie “Sideways.” Santa Rosa Winery is located in Buellton, California, and it offers long-gravel roads and an outdoor tasting bar.

2. Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery is a fan-favorite thanks to Enoteca Reserve Tasting Bar & Lounge. This winery is located in Healdsburg, California, which is part of Sonoma County. Ferrari-Carano Vineyards offer an abundance of chardonnays, which are shipped here from various regions such as Carneros, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley. The area’s Dry Creek Valley Road provides a beautiful view of Sonoma County, and there’s a five-acre garden that houses more than 10,000 tulips.

3. Opus One, located in Napa Valley, California, is a luxurious structure thanks to its striking architecture. Opus One has an opulent and timeless style about itself. The winery’s influence comes from California as well as Europe. One of the better features here is the rooftop deck, which provides splendid views of the surrounding area. In 1981, a case of this winery’s wine sold for a whopping $24,000. Some of Opus One’s available wine include merlot, petit Verdot, cabernet sauvignon and many more.

4. Hall Wine looks like a stylish home rather than a standard winery. This winery has two distinct tasting rooms that are located in two different areas. The first winery that sits right on Route 29 tend to host more visitors. The second winery sits on a hill that’s right on Auberge Road, and it provides a more intimate experience. All of the windows of this stylish little house is facing its vineyard. Hall Wine is located in Napa Valley, California.

5. Flowers Vineyard & Winery is located in Cazadero, California. This winery was founded by Walt and Joan Flowers. The scenery in this neck of the woods is stunning, including wispy pines, moss-covered trees and coastal fog. Flowers Vineyard & Winery has produced award-winning pinot noir and chardonnay.