California - the New World Territory of Wine
Since1976, when the Californian wines sweeping the renowned wine competition known as the Judgement of Paris in both red and white wine categories, California wines have gained the world’s attention as a premier wine region. It possesses the fruit-dominant flavor of the New World Wines, including a wide variety of grapes from French, Italian and Spanish as well as hybrid species. The seven leading grape varieties are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Zinfandel. The warm climate favors the winemakers to harvest full-ripen grapes with higher acidity around 13.5 % on average to create bolder wines.
Notable Wine Regions in California
One of the most notable and reputable wine region located in the Northern Coast of California
Recognized in 2015 as wine region of the year by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine
The largest wine region producing nearly 75% of all California wine grapes
Awarded as the 2013 Wine Region of the Year and the Best Wine Region in the West
Napa Valley, is one of the most notable and reputable wine regions located in the Northern Coast of California. Since 1976, Napa showed the world the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the Judgement of Paris, and later on introducing the first 100-point-score Cab awarded by the influential Bordeaux wine critic, Robert Parker in 1985. Nowadays, local vintners produce 4 % of all California wines, being ranked as the best agricultural preserve of its kinds in the U.S. Napa has been developing and expanding since the first grapes were planted in 1839. Despite Napa Valley as a famous Zinfandel region in the late 1800’s, until now, most vines are already pulled up and replaced with Cabernet Sauvignon.
As a New World region, Napa is able to produce a wide diversity of wines, from light and fresh Sauvignon Blanc, ripe and velvety Merlot to the world-famous Cabernet Sauvignon. Here has the perfect climate with high temperature shifts between days and nights and thus creating natural acidity and ripening process. The volcanic soils also allows to add earthiness and minerality to the wines, while the hilly and mountainous landscapes let winegrowers to craft typically opulent fruit. All contributes to creating the best full-bodied wines in the world.
Lodi
Lodi, has been recognized as the 2015 wine region of the year by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Located between San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the cool breeze from the San Joaquin Delta sets a favorable air conditioning environment for the grape-growing process. It allows the local winegrowers to consistently craft full-ripen varietal wines that possess natural acidity.
Lodi is noticeably perceived as the Capital of Zinfandel around the globe. Producing over 40% of California’s premium Zinfandel, the own-rooted old vines in Lodi are well-known as the California heritage. Many of these ungrafted old vines’ origins can be traced back to 1888 – which they survived through the Phylloxera outbreak between 1860s and 1880s and the Prohibition in 1919. Lodi also endured the planting booms in the 70s and 80s by the rise of white Zinfandel craze. It helped to preserve the old plantings instead of being replaced by new varieties. In the modern era, a lot of wine lovers are profoundly fond of the high mineral content and complexity of wines that come with age.
Old Vines in Lodi
The grapes harvested from these deep-rooted vines are more intensely-aromatic, concentrated and flavorful. Local winegrowers have been continuing to maintain the lifespan of these century-old vines in an effort for consistently produce high quality fruits.
Aside from being Zinfandel Capital, Lodi is also the chief red wine growing region with more than 100 varieties ranging from Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian and Southern Rhone. The local winemakers has been leading California in planting those interesting varieties of which create refreshing and intriguing flavors capturing the world’s cutting-edge wine critics and writers’ attention across the world.
Central Valley
Central Valley, is the largest wine region producing nearly 75% of all California wine grapes, and the oldest grapes in state planted here since the late 17th centuries. Given the diverse microclimate and topology, Central Valley is best to craft for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah in the cool coastal areas. Located between the Sacramento Valley in the North and the San Joaquin Valley in the South, the river delta creates a natural environment best for wine growing, in terms of cool temperature, excellent drainage and irrigation. Also being one of the most fertile farmlands in the world, it yields high quality grapes ripening with high content of natural acidity and concentrated flavor. On the other hand, the inland areas with warmer and sunny weather are ideal for growing full-bodied Rhone and Bordeaux varietals with high intensity outputs.
Paso Robles
Located near the West Coast, Paso Robles has been awarded as the 2013 Wine Region of the Year and named as the Best Wine Region in the West by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine and Sunset Magazine respectively. The first winery in Paso Robles was found in 1790s, today it has more than 200 wineries focusing on premium wine production. Mainly driven by the growth in ownership of small-family-owned producers, it is known as the fastest-growing AVA in the state. Zinfandel was the first commercially viable grapes to be planted in 1914, followed by Petite Syrah in 1920. Although the heritage of Paso Robles began with Zinfandel, today more than 55% of all vines planted are Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties like Merlot and Petite Verdot. Paso Robles is also given another name – the “Rhone-Zone”, as it hosts the largest acreage of Rhone varieties - namely Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne. Adding to its sheer diversity of grapes and innovative style, it is also perfect for planting value-driven blends of Italian and Spanish varieties which showcase their unique attributes.
Among the Inland Valleys, it has a warmer climate, hence being prevalence of growing warm to hot climate grape varieties, like its famous Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. The vines on the ridges receive ample sunshine and a long, dry growing season. Hence it is capable to craft a range of diverse blends of wines in Paso Robles, with firm acidity and fruit-forward flavor.