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California wine country is known throughout the world as a premium wine-growing region. There are over four hundred wineries in this area, which make it a popular tourist destination. There are plenty of notable restaurants and top chefs in California wine country, creating magnificent dishes to complement the wonderful variety of California wines available.
More than a hundred grape varieties are grown in Californian vineyards, including Spanish, French, Italian, and hybrids. The seven main grape varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Caberbet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Syrah.
Napa Valley Wine
Napa Valley is one of the original Californian counties and was created in the nineteenth century. This area is considered to be one of the top wine producing areas in California and in the whole of the United States. Napa Valley is located in North California and its unique soil type and climate mean that this is one of the consistently best wine producing regions in the world.
The Shramsburg, Chateau Montelana, Beringer, and Charles Krug wineries have been in the area since the early nineteenth century. There are over three hundred wineries in the Napa Valley today and many grape varietals are grown. Some examples of Napa Valley wine include Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel. Five million people visit the Napa Valley every year so it is a hot tourist destination for wine lovers.
Napa Valley Wineries
A root louse called phylloxera-destroying wines, the alcohol prohibition period strongly affected the Napa Valley region in the early twentieth century, and many wineries closed down. The region reopened after the Second World War and has been going from strength to strength since the Paris Wine Tasting in 1976, where Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay were considered superior to many French wine labels.
Sonoma County Wines
Most of the California grape harvest derives from Sonoma County. This area is responsible for some of the earliest vineyards and wineries in wine country California. Sonoma country boasts two hundred award-winning wineries. There are five distinct wine growing districts, which are Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, Los Carneros District, Sonoma Valley, and Dry Creek Valley. Well known Sonoma county wine varieties include Merlot, Pinot, Syrah, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.
Other Californian Wine Growing Regions
They are a number of other wine growing areas in California. The Central Valley is famous for its rich, tasty Zinfandel. Lake Country is known for its fine Cabernet Sauvignon. Santa Barbara produces a variety of excellent wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Another excellent Sauvignon Blanc also comes from the Sierra Foothills, as does Riesling, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Barbera. The Mendocino county wine producing area offers a similar variety.
The San Francisco Bay Area is known for its famous wineries including Crooked Vine Winery, Cedar Mountain Winery, Wente Vineyards, and Hallcrest Vineyards. Temecula Valley is home to twenty wineries. This area did not use to be conducive for grape growing but the drip system used nowadays allows the wineries to flourish.
California Wine Tours
Millions of people visit California wine country every year to visit wineries, sample California wines, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. A wine tour is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with California wine and to see the fascinating wine making process from beginning to end.
Author: California Wine Guide Staff Writer
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