California produces 90% of all wines produced in the USA. Compared to the worlds other great wine producing regions, California has a remarkably short history. The first vineyards were planted by Missionary Monks. The demand for wine increased greatly in the 1850's during the time of the Gold Rush which led to vineyards being planted around Napa and Sonoma Valleys and on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Wine Industry suffered major setbacks from the dreaded Phylloxera disease which devastated the vineyards in the late 1890's to the time of Prohibition in 1920 when only medicinal and tonic wines could be made. It was only after World War II that real growth was made in producing fine wines.
California
It was not until the 1970's that the wines of California began to attract the attention of serious wine lovers. Nearly twice as many individuals and companies are making wine now as they were a decade ago. The majority of new names combine limited volume with great ambition. An important trend of the 1980's was the acquisition of Californian wineries and vineyards by International companies. New wine growing regions such as the Edna Valley and Santa Maria Valley have been developed and many of their wines are now earning accolades alongside those of the better known valleys of Napa and Sonoma Counties
California lies on the western coast of the United States bordering the Pacific Ocean. The climate is mainly Mediterranean with very hot Summers and cool Winters. However, offshore ocean currents create a fog which sweeps down the coastal valleys cooling the area and making it suitable for growing vines.
As the variations in climate are so numerous, the University of Davis has devised a climatic zone system to help wine growers to decide on suitable areas and varieties of grapes for their region. This system is based on heat summation which is a measure of the total number of DEGREE DAYS during the vines annual period of growth when the temperature exceeds 50degrees in any one 24hour period. The areas are then classed into five different zones depending on the number of degree days in each.
a DEGREE Day is any period of 24 hours between the months of April and October during which the average temperature exceeds 50 degrees farenheight. e.g. a temperature of 60f in 24 hours = 10 degree days.
Grape Varieties
Major white grape varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon or (Fume Blanc) , Riesling, Chenin Blanc. Red grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Styles
- Varietals, or wines named after Grapes must contain at least 75% of that grape
- Wines from named properties must contain 95% wine from that property.( estate bottled).
- If a vintage is stated on the label, it must contain a minimum of 95% from that vintage.
- If an area is stated on the label the wine must be 100% from that area.
- If a county is stated on the label a minimum of 75% must be from that area.
Sparkling Wine
California has a long and complex history of producing sparkling wine which has had no inhibitions about calling it Champagne.
Main Wine Producing areas of California
Napa Valley
The Napa is the best known and the most expensive area in California and for this reason, few jug wines are made here. The area is hotter in the northern end that at the southern end of Carneros where the volcanic soil adds a complexity to the wines it produces. The main producers include Domaine Chandon (owned by Moet Chandon) Robert Mondavi, Stags Leap, Phelps to name but a few.Sonoma
Sonoma Valley is the main quality rival to the Napa Valley. The area can be sub divided into:
- The Alexander Valley
- Dry Creek Valley
- Knights Valley
- Russian River Valley
The main producers in this region include Chateau St Jean, Kenwood, Pedroncelli, Buena Vista and Sebastiani.San Joaquin Valley
This area makes up the central valley producing everyday jug wines. The Gallo Winery is in the San Joaquin Valley, the largest winemaker in the USA and perhaps in the World.
Monterey
Monterey is perhaps one of the largest wine growing regions producing large quantities of both red and white wine. The main producers include Chalone, Paul Masson, Monterey Vineyards.
There has been tremendous growth in the number of new wineries and now that land is scarce and expensive in established areas new regions are being planted. Areas like Santa Barbaraa, Mediocino and Lake, Almeda, Santa Clara, Santa Crus, Saan Benito County and San Luis Obispo are all producing quality wines worth sourcing.
United States | California
