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Hollywood and Vine: Selecting A California Wine Choosing a California wine can be a daunting task. Although California began producing wine only about 40 years ago, there are more than 1,600 wineries in the state today, making wines ranging from Trader Joe's "Two Buck Chuck" for $1.99 (a buck or two more in Georgia) to Harlan Estate's reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for more than $500. But you can't necessarily equate quality with price. As in any other market, supply and demand determine the price tag. As such, how is it possible to select a good California wine? It's All on the Label The most important information is the producer's name. If an individual vineyard is noted on the label, 95% of the grapes must come from the named vineyard. If the label also specifies a specific region such as "Napa Valley," then 85% of the grapes must also be from that vineyard's specific "micro-climate." The inexperienced buyer should look for older, more established vineyards in well-known "micro-climates" such as Napa, Sonoma, Anderson or Stag's Leap. Older, more established wineries are able to provide better pricing because they amortized their investment a long time ago and as a result, they are able to more easily discount their prices when the supply/demand ratio is favorable.
A great example is the Robert Mondavi label. Mondavi left his family's Charles Krug Winery in 1966 and became the first major winemaker in California to produce higher quality wines. The typical Robert Mondavi wine retails from $15.99 to $17.99, depending upon the grape variety. Other pioneers of the California renaissance include Warren Winiarski, a college professor that started the Stag's Leap label and David Stare, a civil engineer that started the Dry Creek label. Pitcher's Choice The phrase "jug wine" simply refers to an uncomplicated, everyday drinking wine. These wines originally were bottled in jugs rather than bottles. They account for the largest volume of wine sold in the U.S. While the jug wines may not be the best wine on the market, California jug wines maintain their consistency and quality year to year. Therefore, the jug wines are a good option if you can find a wine that appeals to your taste. The Other Side of The Scale But because there are so many variables, it is best to rely on professional help. This help is available from professional rating organizations such as Wine Spectator. A good wine shop will also have a number of shelf talkers to help guide your selections. The bottom line is that California wines can be a great value if you know what you are choosing. The quality is good and the prices are better. The key is to either make a informed selection or if unsure, choose a wine from an established vineyard. |
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A locally owned and operated package store serving the greater Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area. Hours of operation: Temperature-controlled wine cellar – Walk-in cigar humidor – Belgian & craft beers – Much more! |
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Copyright © 2013, Decatur Wine & Spirits. All rights reserved. Click here for our privacy policy. 1789 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur, GA 30033 | Phone: 404-633-8242 | www.decaturspirits.com Click here for directions. Entrances from Lawrenceville Highway and from Dekalb Industrial Blvd. |