Combine hard and aged full-flavored cheeses with cabernet sauvignon. Cheeses such as cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano and asiago pair well with cabernet.

Accompany red meat appetizers such as prosciutto ham with cabernet sauvignon. Roll-up thin slices of seasoned, cured or air-dried prosciutto ham along with a slice each of romaine lettuce leaves and Brie cheese and serve at room temperature or chilled alongside cabernet sauvignon.

Serve bitter flavored vegetable appetizers with cabernet sauvignon. Prepare bruschetta toppings or tapenade sauce dips by adding vegetables such as broccoli rabe, grilled radicchio or roasted Brussels sprouts. The bitterness in these vegetables evenly balances the cabernet’s bitter tannins.