Celebrated California Wine
California wine vintages are is an example of the farmers and artisans who craft their wine. The unique taste of these wines is due to the consistent weather conditions and fertile ground in which their grapes are grown. The winemakers in the various California wine regions have an appreciation for the territory in which they live and work that makes it possible to create palate pleasing world class wines.
The impact of the first Spanish settlers on the California wine industry is huge. A vineyard was always part of the building of a California mission village during the 18th century. 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. The original mission grape plantations would primarily use the common black grape or “Mission Grape” as it was often called.
The gold rush period in California saw the biggest growth in residents as well as wineries in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. During this time well known wine companies such as Buena Vista Winery, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook Winery and Schramsberg Vineyard were founded.
California Wine Regions
There are several areas that produce California Wine. They are separated in to 4 separate locations. The first locale is the North Coast area which takes in counties of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake. The Central Coast is the number two region which lies west of San Franicisco stretching down to Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, Santa Maria and Santa Ynez. Thirdly, there is the South Coast locales of Los Angeles, Temecula, Antelope, Romona Valleys on down to the Mexican border. The fourth region is the Central Valley which includes, of course, the central valley and the Sierra foothills and Lodi.
Wide Range 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.
The most familiar grape varieties are the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah and the Zinfandel. They also raise red wine grapes such as Barbera, Grenache and Petite Sirah. A few of their white wine grapes are the Gewurztraminer, Pinot blanc and Riesling.
California Wine Known as “New World Style”
California winemakers produce “Old World” wines as well as their trademark “New World” wines. Because of the consistently warm weather they tend to use a riper grape that gives the wine a fruitier flavor as well as higher alcohol levels. California wines achieve a full bodied flavor by making wine using oak aging process.
Rave Reviews for California Wine
The locally treasured California wine has emerged as an international treasure as well. 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.