Top 100 wines of California
Discover the top 100 best wines of California as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the wines that are popular of California and the best vintages to taste in this region.
Discovering the wine region of California
California is the largest and most important wine region in the United States. It represents the southern two-thirds (850 miles or 1,370 kilometers) of the country's west coast. (Oregon and Washington make up the rest. ) The state also spans nearly 10 degrees of latitude.
With its mountains, valleys, plains and plateaus, California's topography is as Complex as its Climate, offering winemakers a bewildering array of terroirs. California wines have only gained worldwide recognition in recent decades (especially after the 1976 Paris ruling). However, the state's wine history goes back more than 200 years. European vines were first planted in the 18th century, when settlers and missionaries moved up and down the West Coast.
Discover the grape variety: Viognier
White Viognier is a grape variety that originated in France (Rhone Valley). It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by small bunches, and grapes of small size. White Viognier can be found in many vineyards: South West, Languedoc & Roussillon, Cognac, Bordeaux, Rhone Valley, Burgundy, Jura, Champagne, Savoie & Bugey, Provence & Corsica, Loire Valley, Beaujolais.
Food and wine pairing with a wine of California
wines from the region of California go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of braised beef with carrots, mouse of lamb with thyme or duck leg confit in cider.
News from the vineyard of California
Concern that wine prices may rise amid cost pressures
Inflation and higher costs have led to questions in the UK and US in recent weeks about how much the trade can absorb before wine prices increase. Despite a recent freeze on duty tax, the UK Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has said it is concerned wine prices may rise in 2022 due to myriad factors, including higher costs, inflation and supply chain issues. The trade body sent a letter to government signed by 49 UK wine and spirits businesses last month, warning that ‘rising cost ...
Decanter Retailer Awards: The 2022 winners
An indispensable guide to the best wine shops, online retail, wine specialists and wine support services in the UK, the Decanter Retailer Awards 2022 winners have been partially revealed, with more results to be announced tomorrow, 28th September. Challenges are simply part of the landscape for retailers these days, but there are those who are rising to these challenges in style. The UK wine retail scene has undergone huge changes in the last five years, and our evolving categories aim to reflec ...
Investing in California wine: slow but steady gains
There has been buyer and trade enthusiasm for California’s 2018-vintage releases, yet there is still a sense of the region finding its way on the international fine wine market. Releases of top Cabernet Sauvignon and ‘Bordeaux blend’ wines from the 2018 vintage have added some spark to the California sector of the market this year. ‘We’re seeing much stronger demand for blue-chip 2018s than we did for the 2017s,’ said Ryan Woodhouse, domestic wine buyer for K&L Wine Merchants in the US. Scar ...
Top wines in regions and sub-regions of California
The best wines of California in other styles
- The best wines natural sweet of California in other styles
- The best wines pink of California in other styles
- The best wines red of California in other styles
- The best wines sparkling of California in other styles
- The best wines sweet of California in other styles
- The best wines white of California in other styles