80% of California’s wine is produced here in this 600km stretch of land. It is hot and production is very industrial. One exception is the Lodi AVA; though it is in the middle of the Central Valley, it benefits from cooling breezes off San Francisco Bay. It is recognized as a for its old vine Zinfandel. […]
The following are noteworthy viticultural areas in California’s Central Coast region Santa Cruz County Monterey County San Luis Obispo Paso Robles Santa Barbara County Santa Maria Valley & Santa Ynez Valley
Here you find the vineyards north of San Francisco Bay. Vineyards are greatly influenced by ocean fog and winds directed inwards by the coastal ranges and river valleys. The following are significant America Viticultural Areas in California’s North Coast region: Napa County Napa Valley Rutherford Oakville Mount Veeder Carneros Sonoma County Russian River […]
The vineyards of Washington State are located east of the Cascade mountains. Columbia Valley is the most famous appellation here and because it lies in the rainshadow of these mountains, it is a very dry and arid landscape where irrigation is often necessary. The fruit easily ripens thanks to long sunny days and consistently warm […]
Most of Oregon’s vineyards are in the very sunny Willamette Valley which is in the northern part of Oregon and lies to the west of the Cascade Mountains and runs from the Columbia river in Portland southward. There are six sub appellations here, including Dundee Hills. The region experiences cool wet winters and warm dry summers, […]
La Mancha is Spain’s largest DO. It is home to the world’s most planted white grape varietal, Airen. A grape that is relatively unknown outside of Spain, but occupies a huge expanse of Spanish vineyard area. Airen’s number one place as the most planted white in the world may soon change, as plantings are in […]
About half of Spain’s wine production comes from this expansive stretch of the Meseta Central, south of Madrid. It is an extremely continental climate with summer highs easily reaching 40 C and winter temperatures can dip below zero. There is minimal rainfall and drought is a risk, so the vines are trained as bush vines […]
Monastrell dominates the vineyards of Yumilla. The style is generally very full bodied, but some producers are using carbonic maceration to tame the grape’s tannins and produce brighter fruit driven reds.
