California wine vintages are is an example of the farmers and artisans who craft their wine.  The soils, the climate, valleys and coastal influences help to develop grapes with exquisite flavors. The winemakers in the various California wine regions have an appreciation for the territory in which they live and work that makes it possible to create palate pleasing world class wines.

The Spanish influence on most California wine is quite obvious. The Spaniards first planted vineyards in the 18th century as each mission was established. 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. The original mission grape plantations would primarily use the common black grape or “Mission Grape” as it was often called.

The famous “California Gold Rush” increased the population in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys and some of California’s oldest wineries were started during that period. During this time well known wine companies such as Buena Vista Winery, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook Winery and Schramsberg Vineyard were founded.

California Wine Zones

California wine is produced in specific locales. 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 areas of the Sierra foothills and Lodi are the fourth section.

Varieties of Grapes and Wines

The types of grapes available in the California wine country is almost as varried as its people. For instance, there are the French, Italian, Spanish grapes and new hybrids springin up each year.

The most familiar grape varieties are the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah and the Zinfandel. 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. The oak aged California wine making process produces a wonderful full body taste.

Winning California Wines

California wines are garnering national and international merit. California is one of the most diverse winegrowing regions in the world and also one of the best sources for the premier wine of the month club.  Another wine club worth mentioning is the California wine club which offers offers premium California wines at great pricing.

Post from: Sterling Silver Goblet

History of California Wine

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.

Post from: Sterling Silver Goblet

More About California Wine

Reasons To Join A Wine Club

If you love to drink the “nectar of the gods” then joining a wine of the month club can provide you with more than just a few benefits. Many people are choosing wine as their hobby because it is considered slightly more refined than “kegger parties” or “making homemade lye soap”.

Joining a wine of the month club offers the opportunity to meet other enthusiasts and taste a lot of wines you may otherwise never have the chance to try.

More and more independent vineyards and bottlers are increasing their market share through self-promotion via wine clubs and mailings. If you are considering joining a wine club, I have listed the top 5 benefits for you to read. This way you are able to see that joining a wine club can bring much more to your table than just “a bottle of the good stuff”.

1. Your wine will arrive in an inconspicuous brown wrapper; perfect if you happen to have nosy neighbors.

• Wine clubs all deliver their goods in plain UPS brown boxes so the nosy folks in your neighborhood can’t keep count of how bottles of the living grape you are actually receiving. Now when others grouse about trying to get rid of that nearby ABC store, you won’t become quite as upset.

2. Impress your friends. People will be amazed at your wine collection, which will have some rare and unusual bottles – but you’ll know that you really didn’t spend a lot on your collection. You can tell friends that those bottles of small-bottling Petite Syrah in your cellar cost hundreds (they didn’t cost you hundreds, but they don’t have to know that).

3. Make Money….You can now stage your own wine tasting at home and hey, feel free to make a few bucks by charging a small fee for the food and drink served. You can use the money to buy a totally cool wine rack.

4. Saves Time and Effort…A wine club selection keeps your own shelves well stocked, and this beats the heck out of dashing to the nearest grocery to find a $5 bottle to serve unexpected dinner guests. Come to think of it, if they are that unexpected, they might deserve the $2.50 special at the end of the grocery shelves after all.

5. Ha-Ha Time….Wine club benefits include the ability to play dozens of new practical jokes…

• You will be the only one who knows the exact features and description of the wine in the bottle, so if you decide to challenge friends to a wine taste off…….hey, you’ll beat the experts. A really good wine connoisseur may know the aromas and flavors but he sure as heck will not know exactly when and where it was bottled…..only you will know that it is from McQuiqqleburry Lantern Vineyards….

• Trick wine snobs at dinner parties – refill some good bottles with cheap stuff you go ton closeout at the grocery store. Give these to the wine snobs at your next dinner party or tasting. Give everybody else the good stuff.

Chances are better than average that as your other guests rave about the great taste of the good wine, these folks will be raving right along with them. The most pretentious ones in the group will fall over their tongues trying to match the comments of others. If you can keep from rolling on the floor with laughter, it makes a really great moment to talk about later.

Post from: Sterling Silver Goblet

5 Reasons To Join A Wine of The Month Club