California wine is a reflection of the land where they are produced and of the people who craft them. The unique taste of these wines is due to the consistent weather conditions and fertile ground in which their grapes are grown. California wine growers produce some of the finest wines in the world due to the attention winegrape growers give to matching grape varieties to climate and location.
The Spanish influence on most California wine is quite obvious. The Spaniards first planted vineyards in the 18th century as each mission was established. A vineyard would be the basic staple of each California mission that was built in the 18th cnetury. Early vine cuttings came from Mexico from the common black grape. This grape species, often referred to as the “Mission Grape,” was the chief varietal of the early mission vineyards.
The largest expansion in populace and wineries in the California areas of Sonaoma and Nappa Valleys was during the years of the gold rush. Notable wine producers like Buena Vista Winery, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook Vineyards, and Schramsberg Vineyard were created during this period.
California Wine Territories
California wine is produced in specific locales. There are 4 vicinities in particular. The number one vicinity is referred to as the North Coast area which is located north of San Francisco comprising of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. Second is the Central Coast of California that are areas west of San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara County that includes well known places such as the Paso Robles, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and more. Third on the list is the South Coast region which denotes the area south of Los Angeles all the way to Mexico which includes the Temecula Valley, Antelope Valley, San Pasqual, Ramona Valley, etc. The fourth region is the Central Valley which includes, of course, the central valley and the Sierra foothills and Lodi.
Varieties of Grapes and Wines
There are a number of types of grapes cultivated in the California wine regions. There are French, Italian and Spanish grapes as well as hybrid grapes and new varieties being developed all the time.
You will recognize such names as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir and more. They also grow red wine grapes that you may be familiar with such as the Barbera, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Sangiovese. Some white grapes are the Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, and Riesling to name just a few.
The New World Style California Wine
California winemakers produce “Old World” wines as well as their trademark “New World” wines. The temperate and warmer climate in California ripens the grape earlier making for a frutier flavored wine with 13.5% alcohol levels. California wines achieve a full bodied flavor by making wine using oak aging process.
Winning California Wines
More attention and rave reviews have been coming from the international arena as California wine producers craft higher quality wines each year. The rest of the world is quickly discovering the treasures of the California wine industry through the wine of the month club. Another wine club worth mentioning is the California wine club which offers offers premium California wines at great pricing. The best Cabernet wines in the world come from California.
