 |
|
 |
Most Common Wine Varietals in California Wine Country
As you visit California wineries you will discover many varietals of wine each with their own distinctive flavors and characteristics. However, you will soon notice that these varietals of white and red wines are the most common of California wines:
Top California White Varietals
View the Wine Chart for additional information
Top California Red Varietals
View the Wine Chart for additional information
It is these wines that you will most likely soon begin to recognize
and identify their specific characteristics. Later, as you gain
understanding through tasting wines, you will begin to recognize
subtle differences within each varietal.
You will find that a particular varietal will vary in taste and
flavors from winery to winery and from region to region. The
aromas and flavors of a wine will depend on the location of the
vineyards, how the vineyards are managed, and the winemaker’s
recipe for making this wine. You will discover wines that you
will love and will want to add to your collection of wines.
The tasting room will usually have a set of tasting notes on
the counter. These notes describe the aromas and flavors for
each of the wines you will be tasting. Use the notes to educate
yourself about the wines. Wine chart listing various
varietals.
Other Varietals
There are other common varietals that you will find but not as
often as the above wines. You will find among the white wines
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and dry Riesling. Among the reds, you
will see Barbera, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc.
We have developed a chart
listing the characteristics of the various varietals of wines that
you are likely to encounter at the wineries listed in our getaways.
Bring the chart with you when you visit wineries. It will help you
learn the characteristics of the various varietals of California
wines.
If you want to learn more about understanding and recognizing the
varietals we recommend Andrea Immer’s book "Great Wines
Made Simple." Get together a group of your friends and have
fun learning about wines.
Special Labeled Wines - Meritage or Bordeaux Style Blends
Sometimes a winemaker will blend two or more wines to make a Bordeaux style red wine. Examples are BV’s Tapestry, Yorkville Vineyards’ Richard the Lion-Heart, or Robert Sinskey’s Vineyard Reserve Red. Wines of these types do not contain 75 percent one varietal. The winemaker attempts to blend the varieties into a unique tasting wine. If the wine has the name Meritage on the label, the blend must conform to the criteria set by the Meritage Association.
Blush or Rose Type Wines
These wines are made by leaving the skin on the grapes for a short duration. The wines are served chilled the same way you would serve white wines. Most of the new style blush wines are on the dry side, with interesting flavors you will not find in either white or red wines.
Late Harvest Wines
These are wines that are harvested long after the normal harvest time. The sugar levels become highly concentrated and as a result the wines are sweet and usually designated as dessert wines. They pair nicely with desserts.
If you want to develop a palate sense of the various varietals, we recommend you purchase and use Andrea Immer's book entitled "Great Wines Made Simple." Follow Andrea's step-by-step tastings and you will be able to know and distinguish the various varietal wines.
Tasting Room Topics