An ABC’s Guide to California

It’s a well-known acronym in the wine trade: an ABC is a person who’ll drink ‘anything but Chardonnay’, and we know that applies to a few of you!

Cali Chardonnay has a misunderstood reputation here in the UK, many assume the wines will be big, brash, buttery and wildly oaked. But let’s save that argument for another tasting.

Today we’ll be exploring Californian wine with no Chardonnay, and whilst we are at it, no Cabernet Sauvignon either!

These two grapes are far out in front as the most planted wine grapes in California. So what are you left with if you strip them out of your line up?

Join Laura as she shares her wealth of knowledge, gleaned from her recent adventures with Captone California, on what else you can enjoy in the California wine aisle.

These days many wine drinkers love a Sauvignon Blanc, but mover over NZ, Chile and Loire- Napa Valley is making some stunning Savy B, and you deserve to taste it! In fact, aromatic grapes are on the up in California, plantings of Albariño and Gruner Veltliner are popping up all over the place- we’ll taste some of these. Then you’ve got your Rhone Valley whites, stunning Viognier, Roussane and Grenache Blanc to enjoy.

And what about your reds?

Thanks to the Rhône Rangers movement we have some stunning Syrah to pick from here (this is Laura’s fave!), so expect to be wowed by the quality of the fruit from vineyards like Bien Nacido in Santa Maria. Did you know there’s a new wave of Italian varieties hitting the vineyards of California? We’ve tasted a Nebbiolo that we can’t wait to share!

Let’s not forget Zinfandel, it’s claimed as California’s ‘own grape’, after all. Pinot Noir has long made waves in the cooler climate coastal areas, with price tags to match the Cabernets. But don’t forget Merlot, it’s long been held as the bargain of Napa Valley, with fruit commanding a fraction of the price of the Cabernet.

So, look past the obvious and the widely available. California Wines has so much to offer, even for all you ABCs!