California Wine

An Overview Of California Wine

Over the past fifty years, California wine has become an international phenomenon. In 1986 California wineries did about $35 million in exports. Today that number is somewhere around $700 million. Blessed with a warm climate and abundant rich topsoil, California is ideal for growing almost every sort of produce. Although wine grapes do not always demand ideal growing conditions and often make better wine given adverse treatment, California growers and vintners have been able to produce world class wines as well as oceans of affordable and drinkable wine throughout the extremely varied climates that California has to offer. Currently, California ranks fourth in the world in terms of wine production, behind Italy, France and Spain.

The Five Regions

• North Coast - Napa is certainly the most famous area of this region, noted for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake County comprise the rest of the region. The North Coast benefits from a proximity to a maritime climate that is buffered by steep mountain ranges. Within these valleys some of the greatest wine in America is grown. Parts of Mendocino and Sonoma are directly exposed to the sea and are becoming known for cooler-climate wines, Pinot Noir in particular.
• Central Coast - This region stretches from the San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara. Within this enormous area a wide diversity of climates and conditions exist, the one constant perhaps being a close proximity to the ocean. The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA (American Viticultural Area) for example boasts an incredible amount of identifiable microclimates, with the weather differing drastically from one vineyard to another. The Salinas Valley in Monterey County is home of the world’s largest contiguous vineyard, the King City Vineyard. Much of the bulk wine for large corporations is grown here. Thanks to the ocean’s cooling influence Pinot Noir and Chardonnay do particularly well throughout the entire region. Unfortunately much of the San Francisco Bay area is too expensive to profitably produce wine though the conditions promise to be ideal for Pinot Noir production.
• Sierra Foothills - a high elevation growing area known for big, brawny Zinfandel. Riesling has also been doing well. Eldorado and Amador are perhaps the most well known wine growing counties within this region. A major component for this region’s success with Zinfandel is the soil. The two main types: decomposed granite and crushed volcanic rock both have excellent drainage which allows the grape vines to send down very deep roots.
• South Coast - extends from north of Los Angeles down to California’s southern border. Primarily coastal, the region grows many common varieties. Temecula is the largest area under cultivation within this region.
• Central Valley - the largest by far of California’s wine regions the Central Valley encompasses both the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. Most if not all of these grapes are sold as bulk and provide the fodder for California’s mass-produced lesser quality wines.

Infinite Variety

Boasting of 84 distinct AVAs or American Viticultural Areas, California produces a wide variety of wine. Much of this diversity is relatively new development. Just 50 years ago California was known for cheap jug wine, much of which was produced with Thompson grapes, which are not even considered a grape suitable for making wine. Behemoths like Gallo and Mondavi are struggling to shed their reputations of plonk vendors as legions of smaller growers are concentrating on making a quality product. Today, along with the mainstays of Cabernet, Chardonnay and Merlot, Californian wine makers are experimenting heavily with Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Barbera and pretty much every grape under the sun.

The Future Of California Wine

Time will sort out which grapes perform best in the various areas and regions but the future is definitely rosy for California wines. Domestic consumption as well as foreign imports are rising steadily every year. The only serious problem California faces is too many grapes. The grape glut is a real issue and many producers are dismayed at seeing prices drop. However, consumers faced with better quality and lower prices are not complaining. Gluts and shortages are a constant with any commodity and usually smooth themselves out over the long term. Compared to European wine producing regions, California is just beginning to discover its capacity to produce wine.

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