California Wines Summer Party

It’s the 4TH July – 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 vid for wine take aways, how to find hidden gems and insight from top wine importers and stay for my conclusion at the end!

Being the daughter to a 6th generation Californian & having worked in LA – 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 find great wines – you just have to be strategic!

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 Chard and Cab – ie Grenache, White Rhone grapes, Syrah, Valdiguie
Smaller wine importers focusing on family owned wineries ie @nekterwines@allywines@wanderlustwines@goodwineforgoodpeople
Winemakers which use communal crush pads so they don’t spend money on a winery

 A few discoveries were:
@allywines : Seabold Cellars Grenache Blanc £34
roberson: Tatomer Gruner Veltliner £31.00
@thormanhunt : Talley Estate chardonnay £35.00
@jeroboams : Valravn Old Vine Zinfandel £26.95
@vineyardcellars: J Johr Valdiguie £20.00
@thewinetreasury: Tooth and Nail petite sirah  £41.00

Pricey but brilliant:
@vineyardcellars: Peter Michael 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!

Watch the video here!

Cheers to Cali wine & to all my US friends & family celebrating today