California wine 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. 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. These vineyards were planted with the common black grape which was imported from Mexico. 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. Notable wine producers like Buena Vista Winery, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook Vineyards, and Schramsberg Vineyard were created during this period.
California Wine Zones
There are several areas that produce California Wine. There are 4 vicinities in particular. The first locale is the North Coast area which takes in counties of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake. 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.
Types of Grapes and Wines
The types of grapes available in the California wine country is almost as varried as its people. There are French, Italian and Spanish grapes as well as hybrid grapes and new varieties being developed all the time.
You have probably heard of most of the popular grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel. You have tasted some of their red wine grapes like Barbera, Grenache, Malbec and Sangiovese. They are also known for the white wine grapes of Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot gris,etc.
California Wine Known as “New World Style”
California wine is commonly called “New World” wine. 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 wine making more often uses aged oak to produce full bodied wines.
Winning California Wines
California wines are garnering national and international merit. California is one of the most diverse winegrowing regions in the world and also one of the best sources for the premier wine of the month club .
