What wines is California known for?

On a statewide basis, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the two most important grape varieties. Out of the total 525,000 acres planted in California, nearly 95,000 are dedicated to Chardonnay and 80,000 are dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon.

What type of wine does California produce?

The most prominent and foremost grape varieties consumed and produced in California today are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

What are the 3 white and 7 red noble grape varieties of California?

It is generally accepted (with some argument) that there are only 7 noble grape varieties. For white wines, they are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling. Red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah. Funny how they are all French!

Which wine grape variety is most planted in California?

Chardonnay
California Chardonnay If Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of red grapes, Chardonnay is the queen of whites. The variety is California’s most widely planted winegrape, with 93,452 acres reported in 2017.

Is California an Ava?

California can be used as an official statewide appellation or American Viticultural Area (AVA), a U.S.-government-regulated term that indicates where the grapes in that bottle (or box or can) were grown.

What is California red wine?

The base of your California red blend is most likely the same as a classic Bordeaux blend: either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Other classic blending grapes used in Bordeaux include Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Carmenere.

Does California produce wine?

America’s top wine producer California makes 81% of all U.S. wine and is the world’s 4th leading wine producer.

Which varieties are blended to produce Meritage?

Trademark licensing and wine production A red Meritage must be made from a blend of at least two of the following varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot, or Carmenère, with no variety comprising more than 90 percent of the blend.

What are the 8 noble grapes?

When speaking to wine in general, the Noble Grapes are: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Gateway drugs, if you will.

Is Riesling a noble grape?

The six historical Noble Grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. As new hybrid grape varieties are developed and wine production has increased around the world, the list of Noble Grapes has expanded.

How many AVAs does California have?

California wine country currently has 139 American Viticultural areas or AVAs. These are delimited, geographical grape-growing areas that have officially been given appellation status by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. AVAs show off the diversity and quality of the wine region.

What are AVAs in California?

AVA’s – American Viticultural Areas of California An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated grape growing region in the US, distinguishable by geographic features. These AVA’s have geographical boundaries defined by the Tobacco and Trade Bureau (TTB).