With its fertile soil and ideal grape-growing climate, California makes some of the best wines in the country. From Sonoma County to the Napa Valley, California’s wine-making regions produce a great variety of white and red wines to suit every palate. Still, it can be difficult for a novice to choose the California Wines they’ll enjoy the most. Here’s a quick guide to the flavor profiles of some of the most popular wines from California.
Merlot
With its silky mouth-feel and soft undertones, Merlot is one of the most popular table wines in the country. Merlot compliments most foods and isn’t overbearing, making it a great choice for first-time wine drinkers. This dry red wine matures quickly and has soft floral notes.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape thrives in California, making it the top-selling red wine to come out of the state. Depending on the vintner and how long it’s been aged, this dry, dark red wine can either be light and fruity or full-bodied and rich. Cabernet Sauvignon is noticeably acidic with notes of blackcurrant and cherry. It pairs well with beef, lamb and savory tomato-based sauces.
Syrah
Of all the red California Wines, Syrah is the spiciest and most robust. It’s typical for California Syrah to feature plum, blueberry and black cherry flavors with notes of pepper or spice. Syrah pairs extremely well with hearty meat-based dishes like stews, roasts and even hamburgers. It also compliments many cheeses quite well.
Chardonnay
California’s most popular white wine, oak-aged Chardonnay has a unique creamy texture with vanilla and butter undertones. When fully aged, it’s main flavors are tropical fruits like passion-fruit and pineapple. This wine is low in acidity which makes it a natural choice to pair with cheeses, seafood and poultry.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is another dry white wine that California is famous for producing. This fruity wine has peach, lime and green apple flavors with unique herbaceous undertones like basil, celery and lemongrass. Sauvignon Blanc is best enjoyed with foods containing fresh herbs, like basil pesto pasta or tarragon chicken. It also works well with briny, soft cheeses.
Choosing the best California wine for your next dinner party can be a daunting task. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and visit Towne Cellars Wine & Liquors for a selection of the best wines California has to offer.
