An exquisite glass of fine California red wine perfectly accompanies a five-star meal at the swankiest restaurant in town or a relaxing evening at home. California winemakers hit the map internationally in the early 1970’s and continued producing high quality wine known for its rich and diverse style. These handcrafted wines come from the heart and soul of California, wine country.
On top of the red wines sits the king, Cabernet Sauvignon. This grape produces one of the finest red wines from California. Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys immense success among wine drinkers both in California and around the world. This robust flavored wine leaves a full, lingering taste on your palate. The mouth consumes with flavors of blackberries, cherries, plums and other dark fruits. Typically, Cabernet Sauvignon shows very noticeable tannins, and should be aged for several years before drinking.
The next two leading contenders in fine California red wines are Zinfandel and Merlot. Zinfandels continue as one of the most versatile grape grown in California. They are spicy, rich full-bodied red wines that pair nicely with spicy and garlicky foods due to the lower tannins. Merlot wines watched a dramatic rise in California over the past 35 years. Now, more than 300 wineries produce Merlot compared to just four in 1972. Merlot tends to hold medium to deep red tints and have openly fruity aromas with flavors of currant, herbs and cherries. They are softer and rounder than a Cabernet Sauvignon; however, they retain the richness and complexity of a fine wine.
The climate in California’s wine country makes it an ideal location for growing grapes. The cool winds and morning fogs balance the heat and sunshine from a hot summer’s day. The winters are mild with little threat of frost or freezing temperatures. These conditions create some of the finest red wines in California.
According to Wine Spectator’s “Top 100 Wines of 2007”, four California red wines made the top 50. The highest on the list was number nine, Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve 2004. It scored a 95 according to Wine Spectator ratings. This was followed by another Cabernet Sauvignon at 27, the Cappallett Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Signature 2004. Wine Spectator rated this wine a 93. The two Zinfandels came in at 37 and 44. Navarro Zinfandel Mendocino 2004 registered 37 and scored at 92. While, Rubicon Estate Zinfandel Rutherford Edizione Pennino 2004 hits the list at 44 and scored a 93 according to Wine Spectator.
Today, the finest California red wines come from major winery corporations with international distribution and the smaller boutique wineries. At these smaller wineries, winemakers labor and toil over every aspect of the wine. Often they spare no expense for the quality of the wine, which can drive the price in some cases. The bottom line is the higher quality the grapes and grape juice the higher quality of the wine production. Internationally, California reds stood their ground as some of the finest red wines in the world.
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