California Wine Reviews
“Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Wine buffs would surely agree with that. And if one needs to unwind and enjoy life at a more relaxed pace, what could be better than sipping on some of the most admired wines on California Wine Review lists across the wine worldwide market.
With wineries in Sonoma County, Santa Barbara, Monterey County, Bay Area and Napa Valley, to name a few, California has established itself as the leading producer of wine in the United States. It accounts for more than 90% of the total wine production in the U.S.A. With over 550,000 acres of vineyards, California produces some of the world’s best Chardonnay, Zinfandel, French Co Lombard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Barbera, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet and Syrah.
Chardonnay, which tops the list in all California wine reviews, comes in a myriad of flavors such as toasted hazelnut, apple, vanilla oak, nutmeg, pineapple, fig and crème brulee. This white wine goes very well with pasta with creamy cheese, seafood and salad. Aquinas Napa Valley Chardonnay (2003) is a good choice if you want to try a good quality chardonnay that isn’t too heavily priced.
Another impressive white wine from the Californian region is Pinot Blanc. Similar to the Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc is another impressive white wine from the Californian region. It offers a fruity flavor and goes well with salty foods.
The Chenin Blanc is a highly acidic wine that goes well with cheese, fish and chicken. The Sauvignon Blanc which happens to be the second favorite after Chardonnay has a characteristic earthy flavor and is a good combination with sea foods and chicken. Riesling wine has a floral aroma and a fruity taste. Like all other white wines, this variety too goes very well with creamy cheese and can also be paired with milk chocolates.
Another Californian white wine that deserves a special mention is the exotic Viognier. With a very fruity bouquet, the wine comes in fruity flavors like melon, pear, apricot and citrus. Produced in small quantities by a handful of wineries, this rare wine can be paired with seafood and chicken. The 1994 Kendall-Jackson Viognier would be the perfect choice if you like a grassy flavor, with the wine leaving an amazingly fresh aftertaste.
Among Californian Reds, Zinfandel is well known for its fruity bouquet and berry taste. This particular variety is nurtured in the vastest of vineyards in California. It is a hot favorite for being matched with spicy food, red meat and tomato based pastas and makes a deadly combination with dark chocolate. The Pinot Noir too has a fruity taste and offers flavors like strawberry, plum and cherry. It is a light bodied wine that goes well with grilled steak, pasta, lamb and dark chocolate.
Other extensively grown varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon is rated as the finest Red on all California Wine Reviews. It ranges from medium-bodied to full-bodied and is recommended by many for keeping heart diseases away. The 2001 Heitz Martha’s Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is an excellent choice for all those who cherish their Cabs, as they will enjoy the rich feel of this minty red wine. Merlot is a soft wine, sweeter than the Sauvignon. It is available in typical herbal and cherry flavors and complements almost all food types especially cheddar cheese.
So if you really want to give your palette a treat, then head straight for any of the awesome Californian wines, which will definitely make you feel great with every sip and swirl.
