California is the most renowned region for American wine, and not without good reason. It accounts for nearly 90% of all wine produced in the US and has long been at the forefront of the American wine industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The state stretches 1,100 km along the coast and you\u2019ll find vineyards throughout most of that area. The climate varies significantly as you travel from Anderson Valley in the North to Monterey and Santa Maria in the South. While coastal regions are significantly cooler than inland areas such as Central Valley, the one unifying factor in California is the lack of rain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Napa Valley & Sonoma<\/strong> Key Varietals<\/strong> Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong> is the grape that really put California on the map and established its reputation as a region producing top-quality wines. Napa Valley is the home of Californian Cabernet and produces rich, bold wines with lots of black fruit and ripe tannins. They tend to be higher in alcohol, oakier and more fruit-driven than their French counterparts. Alexander Valley also produces sublime Cab Sav, distinctive by their fleshy and soft character. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chardonnay<\/strong> is another European variety that has found great success on the other side of the pond. It is the most widely planted white grape in California and covers a range of styles, from the inexpensive, fruity wines from the Central Valley to the ultra-premium, elegant examples from cooler sites such as Los Carneros and Russian River in Sonoma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Zinfandel<\/strong> (also known as Primitivo) has become a real signature variety of California throughout the state and produces rich, full-bodied, and often spicy red wines. It doesn\u2019t always ripen evenly, so by the time all the grapes are ready, some will have started to raisin on the vine, adding extra concentration and complexity to the blend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The region has also made great progress with Pinot Noir <\/strong>in recent years, with some top producers in the cooler regions like Sonoma, Monterey, and Santa Maria producing some fabulous examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pacific Northwest state of Washington is the second-largest wine producer in the US. The vast majority of vineyards in the area are planted to the east of the Cascade Mountains, where the mountain range acts as a rain barrier for the vineyards of Columbia Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The climate here is continental, with dry, hot summers and cold winters. In fact, it\u2019s not unusual for vines to be killed by severe frosts in winter. The warm, sunny days during the ripening season ensure that the grapes reach optimum ripeness, while the cool nights help them to retain their acidity and freshness. As a result, the region is rapidly gaining a reputation for its premium wines, notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the East coast, New York is the main wine region and the third biggest producer in America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/themes.getmotopress.com\/vite-nera\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2021\/02\/stack-image-2-687x1024.jpg\")
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The areas closest to the Pacific Ocean, such as Napa Valley and Sonoma, tend to host the more premium vineyards as they benefit from the cooling fog that rolls in off the water and brings welcome humidity and relief from the hot temperatures. This allows the grapes to ripen more slowly, retaining their acidity and freshness, and adding elegance and balance to the resulting wine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll find pretty much any grape known to man growing in California, but the region is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWashington<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNew York<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n