A Taste of California

Cool on the Coast to Warm in the Valley

USA’s most prolific wine region, producing over 90% of American wine. California is home to some notable wine regions including Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, and Lodi among others.

Notable Regions

Napa Valley

Napa Valley is California’s most famous and prestigious wine region, but it is small in size. Napa Valley wine region is only 80 kms long and 5 kms wide. Napa Valley produces less than 5% of California’s total wine production. Napa Valley is renowned for their new world style Cabernet Sauvignons. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted red variety while Chardonnay is the most widely planted white grape variety.

Sonoma County

North of San Francisco, Sonoma County has over 90 kms of coastline as well as many hills, ridges, and valleys which influences the regions numerous microclimates. Sonoma County’s most widely planted white grape variety is Chardonnay, accounting for over 80% of white grape plantings. Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted red varieties. Merlot and Zinfandel also play an important role here.

Paso Robles

Part of California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles is located approximately halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Located on the western side of the AVA is the Santa Lucia Range that shelters the area from the cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean, offering Paso Robles a warm climate. A wide range of grapes are grown in Paso Robles including but not limited to Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

Lodi

The Lodi region is the self-proclaimed Zinfandel capital of the world. It is an area that is known for producing old vine Zinfandel. Zinfandel is also known as Primitivo in Italy. There are over 70 grape varieties planted in Lodi, but Zinfandel reigns supreme; it is the most widely planted grape variety in Lodi.

Key Varietals

Cabernet Sauvignon

Medium to full bodied wines that are often aged in oak. Fruity notes of blackberry, blueberry, and blackcurrant with notes of mocha, spices, and earth.

Food pairing: Pairs well with grilled or roasted meats, stews, mushrooms, as well as tomatoes and tomato-based pasta dishes.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay can range from pale to deep in colour and from unoaked and fruity to hints of minerality and toast. The unoaked wines tend to have more fruity flavours and aromas of apple, citrus, and tropical fruits. The oaked wines tend to display aromas and flavours of toast, vanilla, and butter.

Food pairing: Chardonnay pairs well cheesy garlic bread, shellfish, fish, roast chicken, rice, popcorn, pasta, and a cheese board.

Zinfandel

Medium to full bodied with lower acidity and tannins, Zinfandel has jammy notes of raspberry, blackberry or bramble, spices such as black pepper, cloves, licorice, and vanilla. Zinfandel is a signature grape variety of Lodi.

Food pairing: Zinfandel pairs well with barbeque, smoked cheeses, spicy foods, and tangy flavours.

Pinot Noir

Dry, medium bodied wines with juicy cherry, cranberry, and strawberry flavours with subtle floral, earth, and leather notes.

Food pairing: Pairs well with bacon, grilled salmon, chicken, duck, French onion soup, and a cheese board.