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. California wine growers produce some of the finest wines in the world due to the attention winegrape growers give to matching grape varieties to climate and location.

The Spanish influence on most California wine is quite obvious. A vineyard was always part of the building of a California mission village during the 18th century. A vineyard would be the basic staple of each California mission that was built in the 18th cnetury. Early vine cuttings came from Mexico from the common black grape. This grape species, often referred to as the "Mission Grape," was the chief varietal of the early mission vineyards.

The gold rush period in California saw the biggest growth in residents as well as wineries in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Celebrated vineyards such as Buena Vista, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook and Schramsberg were established at that time.

California Wine Regions

There are several areas that produce California Wine. They are divided into 4 main areas.  The number one vicinity is referred to as the North Coast area which is located north of San Francisco comprising of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. The Central Coast is the number two region which lies west of San Franicisco stretching down to Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, Santa Maria and Santa Ynez. Thirdly, there is the South Coast locales of Los Angeles, Temecula, Antelope, Romona Valleys on down to the Mexican border. The Central Valley is the fourth vicinity that would comprise of the Sierra foothills, Lodi and of course, the central valley.

Wide Range of Grapes and Wines

The California Wine country grows hundreds of variety of grapes. For instance, there are the French, Italian, Spanish grapes and new hybrids springin up each year.

You will recognize such names as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir and more. They also grow red wine grapes that you may be familiar with such as the Barbera, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Sangiovese. They are also known for the white wine grapes of Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot gris,etc.

The New World Style California Wine

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

The locally treasured California wine has emerged as an international treasure as well. The rest of the world is quickly discovering the treasures of the California wine industry through the wine of the month club.

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