Top 100 red wines of California

Discover the top 100 best red wines of California as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the red 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: Pinot noir

Pinot noir is an important red grape variety in Burgundy and Champagne, and its reputation is well known! Great wines such as the Domaine de la Romanée Conti elaborate their wines from this famous grape variety, and make it a great variety. When properly vinified, pinot noit produces red wines of great finesse, with a wide range of aromas depending on its advancement (fruit, undergrowth, leather). it is also the only red grape variety authorized in Alsace. Pinot Noir is not easily cultivated beyond our borders, although it has enjoyed some success in Oregon, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Food and wine pairing with a red wine of California

red 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 lomo saltado, lamb tagine with peppers and artichoke bottoms or venison stew.

Organoleptic analysis of red wine of California

On the nose in the region of California often reveals types of flavors of cherry, violet or caramel and sometimes also flavors of red cherry, cream or exotic spice. In the mouth in the region of California is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.

News from the vineyard of California

Kylie Minogue launches her wine range in the US

The ‘Spinning Around’ singer launched the wines on her birthday in 2020 as part of a collaboration with London-based Benchmark Drinks. The firm, founded by former Accolade Wines chief executive Paul Schaafsma, specialises in celebrity partnerships. It has also launched wines in tandem with Sarah Jessica Parker, Ian Botham and Graham Norton. Yet the Kylie Minogue range has been one of the star performers, selling 3.5 million bottles in the UK and a further 1.5 million bottles in 15 international ...

Fine wine demand slows as recession fears mount, says Liv-ex

Rampant inflation, the global fuel crisis, recession fears and fiscal tightening from central banks have caused equities and bonds to tank over the past few months. Fine wine has significantly outperformed global equities and most commodities, but market momentum has been ‘much more subdued’ in the second quarter of 2022, said Liv-ex, a global marketplace for the trade. The Liv-ex 1000 – which tracks the performance of 1,000 leading fine wines – increased by 3.6% year-on-year in ster ...

Decanter World Wine Awards 2022: Results announced

The world’s largest and most influential wine competition, Decanter World Wine Awards results offer a definitive guide to the dynamic world of wine. Each year’s results offer surprises and revelations, highlighting growth in quality and consistency – or lack thereof. An all-time record for wines tasted, discover the results from the 19th edition of the competition. Quick links to DWWA 2022 results Search all Best in Show medals Search all Platinum medals Search all Gold medals Search ...