California Wines Summer Party
It’s the 4TH July – and instead of focusing on elections, I want to honour my American roots with a tribute to a fantastic California wine tasting I attended recently by @californiawineinstitute.
Check video for wine take aways, how to find hidden gems and insight from top wine importers and stay for my conclusion at the end!
My full wine highlights will be in my next newsletter – sign up link is in my bio!
Being the daughter to a 6th generation Californian, having worked in LA and being the previous Ambassador for the California Wine Institute for the UK – this state and their wines have my heart.
However, I appreciate that it’s hard to find wines of quality at accessible prices.
Why is it tough? Some reasons:
Exchange rate = expensive
Shipping = takes ages/ expensive
Alcohol duty has gone up
Brexit = pay more now for organic/ it’s more admin/ more headaches for producers
Shipping from San Fran is more expensive than shipping from other ports
Petrol for trucks = more expensive in CA
Good news – you can still find great wines – you just have to be strategic/ look harder!
Tips to find value:
Not so well known regions. Napa and Sonoma are now brands in themselves. Alternatives:
Paso Robles, Lodi, Mendocino, Santa Cruz Mountains, Sierra Foothills
Try other grapes than Chardonnay and Cabernet – ie Grenache, White Rhone grapes, Spanish or Portuguese varietals
Smaller wine importers focusing on family owned wineries ie @nekter @allywines @wanderlustwines @goodwineforgoodpeople
Winemakers which use communal crush pads so they don’t spend money on a winery
A few discoveries from the day were:
@allywines : Seabold Cellars Grenache Blanc – fantastic Chardonnay with plenty of peach fruit and an elegant saline finish. £34.00
@roberson: Tatomer Gruner Veltliner – Aromatic, full of pear fruit and marzipan with vivid brightness. – £31.00
@thormanhunt : @talleyestate chardonnay Brims with Cali sunshine fruit and gorgeous floral aromatics. – £35.00
@jeroboams : @valravn Old Vine Zinfandel – I bought this for my father for Father’s Day. Red plums combine with spicy liquorice and a smudge of tobacco. Fantastic value. £26.95
@vineyardcellars: @Johr Valdiguie – juicy blueberries with a hint of violet – Jancis Robinson loves this as an easy drinking summer wine £20.00
@thewinetreasury: @toothandnail petite sirah – Mulled black plum with dried herbal freshness and a figgy finish. Serious Hedonism. £41.00
A couple of pricey but brilliant:
@vineyardcellars: @petermichael chardonnay – my family’s fave for rich chard. £150.00
@roberson: @corison Cabernet Sauvignon £128.60 – in my mind Cathy Corison is one of the top Cabernet Winemakers in Napa/ California!
Full list of favourites out in my newsletter today.
Cheers to Californian wine and to all my US friends and family celebrating this month xxxx