Have you ever seen the movie "Sideways"?
This is a human drama that takes place at wineries and restaurants in California, and the movie features many real-life wineries, restaurants, and shops, as well as many delicious-looking California wines. Although the movie was released in 2004, the locations where the movie was filmed are still popular tourist spots for tourists.
California, the setting for the movie "Sideways," is home to a major wine-producing region called "Wine Country," and is dotted with thousands of wineries. Many wineries offer tours of their fields and wineries for tourists, and you can sample wines in their tasting rooms, making it a great tourist destination for wine lovers. Of course, it's not just for sightseeing, the wine made in California is also certified for taste. This time we will introduce wines from California, a world-recognized high-quality wine producing region.
What kind of wine is California wine?
Characteristics of California wine
California wines tend to be strong, fruity, and powerful. The reason for this is California's favorable climate. California has the perfect climate for growing grapes, with plenty of sunshine, little precipitation in summer and fall, and warm days and cool nights. In this climate, grapes ripen fully and have a high sugar content, resulting in wines with rich fruit flavors and relatively high alcohol content.
California's most popular grape varieties
The royal road to red wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most well-known grapes grown in California, and is also used in fine wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, produced in California, is high in alcohol, powerful, and rich in tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is especially popular around the world.
The most Californian variety: Zinfandel
Zinfandel is the most Californian variety. Zinfandel is a very popular red wine variety in the United States, primarily grown in California. Although the name is different, it is the same grape variety as Italy's Primitivo. It is said to have originated in Croatia, but since it was brought to the United States, it has been popularly known as ``Zinfandel.'' It is so popular that a tasting festival dedicated to Zinfandel is held every year in San Francisco. Although it is fruity, has a high alcohol content, and is voluminous, it is mellower, easier to drink, and more approachable than Cabernet Sauvignon, which is the secret to its popularity.
Speaking of California white: Chardonnay
Chardonnay is California's most popular white wine. Many of California's fine white wines are made from Chardonnay. California Chardonnay is popular for its rich style, with rich vanilla and butter flavors from the barrels.
What is “cult wine”?
California has some wines that are called "cult wines." Currently, there is no clear definition of cult wine, but it generally refers to rare wines that are of high quality, are produced in small quantities, and are extremely difficult to obtain. It has become a proud item. Many cult wines are produced, especially in California's Napa Valley. Famous brands include ``Screaming Eagle'' and ``Harlan Estate.''
California's major wine regions
California's wine country is surrounded by abundant nature. The easiest way to visit California's wine regions is by plane and rental car. It takes about two hours to drive from San Francisco to Napa or Sonoma, and it takes about three to four hours to reach the major wineries on the Central Coast.
mendocino county
Mendocino County is located in the northernmost part of California's wine country, about a four-hour drive north of San Francisco. It has a cool climate with a large temperature difference even in California. The Anderson Valley is dotted with excellent wineries and is also attracting attention as a producer of high-quality Pinot Noir.
Recommended producer in Mendocino: Roederer Estate
Roederer Estate/ Quartet Anderson Valley Brut [NV] 750ml?
A superb sparkling wine made in California's Anderson Valley by Louis Roederer, a famous Champagne producer. A rich and aromatic sparkling wine made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It has a high-quality taste that is as good as the original.
sonoma county
It is California's premier wine producing region, with a history of winemaking dating back to the 1800s. It is approximately 2 hours drive from San Francisco. Blessed with rich natural beauty, it is also famous as one of America's best wine tourism destinations. There are approximately 400 wineries, ranging from large resort wineries to small family-run wineries.
Recommended producer in Sonoma: Kistler
Kistler Vineyard/Les Noisettières Chardonnay [2018] 750ml
This winery is world-famous for producing the finest Chardonnay in California. Due to its high quality, it is also called the king of California Chardonnay. Enjoy premium Chardonnay created through repeated research.
napa valley
Located south of Sonoma, it is one of California's most well-known wine producing regions. Napa means "fertile land" in Indian, and grapes have been cultivated here since ancient times. There are many famous wineries that produce many high-quality wines. Along with Sonoma, this area is also a very popular wine tourist destination.
Recommended producer in Napa ①: Stags Leap Wine Cellars
Stags Leap Wine Cellars/Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon [2016] 750ml?
This is a talented winery that achieved the highest score in a blind tasting held in Paris in 1976, surpassing France's leading wineries Mouton Rothschild and Château Haut-Brion. Please enjoy the high quality Cabernet Sauvignon produced by producers who have made Napa Valley known to the world.
Recommended producer in Napa ②: Dominus Estate
Dominus Estate/ Napanook [2015] 750ml Red Wine
A winery that boasts top-class quality among California's premium wine producers. This is the second wine of Dominus, famous as a producer of Cabernet Sauvignon representing Napa Valley. You can enjoy the highest quality wine produced by Dominus at a relatively reasonable price.
central valley
Located in central California, this production area boasts the largest number of wine shipments in California. Lodi is particularly famous for producing Zinfandel, and there are many large-scale wineries that produce a wide range of wine styles, from casually priced wines to high-quality premium wines.
Recommended producers in the Central Valley: Spenker
Spenker/ Zinfandel [2013] 750ml
We are a boutique winery that produces high-quality wine using Zinfandel harvested from old vines in Lodi, a famous winemaking area in the Central Valley. Enjoy a juicy red wine full of California flavor.
central coast
It is the second largest area in California after the Central Valley. It is an area that is attracting attention as the number of wineries continues to increase year by year. Among them, "Paso Robles" is a major wine producing region with many excellent wineries and is visited by many tourists.
temecula
Temecula is located in Southern California, where the first grapes in California are said to have been planted. Temecula is also a resort town, where you can enjoy wineries with a tropical atmosphere that is a little different from other wine producing regions in California.
Currently, it is difficult to travel overseas due to the coronavirus, but why not try enjoying premium wine from Wine Country California at home while dreaming of one day visiting the country? .
