California Wines: the complete guide
California wine is an American wine produced in the western United States. California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world and the largest in the United States, with an annual production of 2.8 billion liters . California wine is also the largest wine export in the United States.
The Californian vineyard, a wealth to discover
This vineyard is full of history, culture and natural beauty.
In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors into California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. By the early 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry, so much so that by 1933, there were only 140 wineries left producing wine. It was not until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was primarily known for producing fortified wines (Port style). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.).
The Californian vineyard is one of the oldest wineries in the United States. It was founded in 1839 by George Yount, who was the first to plant vines in the famous Napa Valley or "Napa Valley". Napa Valley is a world-renowned wine region, known for the beauty of its landscapes, the quality of its wines and the friendliness of its people.
California vineyards are home to some of the world's finest wines. The vineyard produces many types of wines including red wines, white wines, and sparkling wines. The vineyard's wines have won numerous awards and accolades.
What is an AVA?
Every bottle of California wine indicates the geographical origin, or appellation, that is, the place where the grapes were grown.
Appellations here are defined either by political zones or by federally recognized agricultural regions, called AVAs (or American Viticultural Areas ). For a wine to bear the name of an AVA, at least 85% of the grapes must be grown in that AVA. If the wine is named "California," any California AVA appellation may be used as long as 100% of the grapes are grown in the Golden State.
California's Climate
California ’s abundant sunshine promotes long and consistent wine seasons. The diversity of terroirs allows for the cultivation of a multitude of grape varieties. California’s rugged coastline, which is 800 miles long, provides the surrounding vineyards with exposure to natural air currents in the form of fog and sea breezes. This allows for the cultivation of varieties that are suited to cooler climates, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The more remote coastal valleys, where temperatures are warmer, also benefit from a cooling effect from rivers, lakes and deltas. These areas are often more suitable for growing grape varieties that ripen later in the year such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
California Soils
The soils are as diverse as the number of wine regions. Sand, clay, silt, granite, volcanic ash, seabed soil, river gravel: each element brings an influence on the expression of the grape varieties cultivated as well as a very distinct minerality on the wines.
The influence of immigration on wine culture
Since the 1700s, immigrants from around the world have arrived in California, bringing their wines and sharing their expertise. Hard-won secrets about the soil, climate and vines have been passed down from generation to generation, giving California wines a unique and diverse heritage .
It’s no secret that California wine is some of the best in the world. In fact, many top French and Italian winemakers have relocated to the Golden State in recent years to take advantage of the ideal climate and soil.
Cabernet Sauvignon, a typical Californian grape variety
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine grape variety native to the Bordeaux region of France that is now widely planted in wine regions around the world, including California.
The first Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in California in the early 1800s by Spanish missionaries. The grape quickly became one of the most widely planted red wine varieties in the state.
Today, California is the largest producer of Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world. The state's warm climate is well suited to this grape, and many of the state's best wines are made from Cabernet Sauvignon.
Among the most famous Cabernet Sauvignon wines from California are those from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. These wines are generally made in a fruitier style than their French counterparts.
Cabernet Sauvignon is also a popular grape for blends. Some of the most famous California blends include Bordeaux-style blends and Meritage-style wines.
What is the Judgment of Paris?
In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". It saw the greatest French wines pitted against the newcomers from the United States. On May 24, an unexpected result shook the world of wine, as to everyone's surprise, it was the United States that won . However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public in France.
