The Napa Valley is only 30 miles long and a few miles wide and yet it has become known as a premier wine region. It is particularly well known for the Cabernet Sauvignon varieties it produces with their full-bodied, fruity flavors. These Napa Valley red wines are available for purchase from a number of online stores.
Many of the wineries that still exist today were first established in the late nineteenth century. The modern era of wine-making was ushered in when various new procedures and techniques were introduced in 1938. One of these was the aging of wine in French Oak barrels. However, it was only in about the 1960s that wine of significant quality began being produced. Today more than 450 wineries produce varieties with extraordinary depth of character.
Situated north of San Pablo Bay, the valley runs between mountain ranges. Its geographical diversity and different micro-climates offer conditions particularly suited to cultivation of grapes. The soil is rich with various deposits, including volcanic lava and ash at the northern end. The Mediterranean climate means that days are warm, nights are cool and the growing season is long and consistent, all beneficial for the growing of grapes.
Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for almost half of the total production of wine in the region. The variety depends on the vineyard where the grapes are grown and the rich fruity flavors include blackberry, plum, currant and cherry. The oak aging adds to the complexity of the wine providing smoky, vanilla notes. A young wine can be dense and powerful but as it ages the tannins soften out and the flavors and aromas become increasingly complex.
Although the region is primarily known for the Cabernet Sauvignons, there are a number of other significant reds produced. The region is also known for its production of Merlot which when not produced as a varietal, is used in blends. Pinot Noir is the third most produced varietal and grows in the Carneros region in the south which is the coolest district. Zinfadel is another important red in the wine portfolio. It is not as widely produced but its rich flavor is enjoyed by many wine lovers. It grows best on hillside sites in a warm, dry environment.
Red wine blends are also popular to drink as they often embrace the best of their component varietals. Three of these top red blends are Opus One, Dominus and Rubicon. They use Cabernet as the main component.
The best reds can be very costly, especially those produced by boutique wineries. Some of them have almost cult status amongst collectors. Many factors go into the pricing of wine such as taste, opinions of wine critics and amount of bottles produced for the year. Although the very best ones are probably too expensive for all but the most ardent wine collectors, it is possible to buy good quality wine at reasonable prices. Many well-priced varieties are available from online stores and shopping online makes price comparisons easy.
The vintners in this region benefit from living in one of the most geologically diverse wine regions worldwide. Most wineries are family-owned and these families are passionate about their area and turning their exceptional grapes into world class wine. Whether it is the savory, peppery varieties produced on hilly areas or fruity varieties in the valley, there are those to suit the tastes of every red wine lover.
Many of the wineries that still exist today were first established in the late nineteenth century. The modern era of wine-making was ushered in when various new procedures and techniques were introduced in 1938. One of these was the aging of wine in French Oak barrels. However, it was only in about the 1960s that wine of significant quality began being produced. Today more than 450 wineries produce varieties with extraordinary depth of character.
Situated north of San Pablo Bay, the valley runs between mountain ranges. Its geographical diversity and different micro-climates offer conditions particularly suited to cultivation of grapes. The soil is rich with various deposits, including volcanic lava and ash at the northern end. The Mediterranean climate means that days are warm, nights are cool and the growing season is long and consistent, all beneficial for the growing of grapes.
Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for almost half of the total production of wine in the region. The variety depends on the vineyard where the grapes are grown and the rich fruity flavors include blackberry, plum, currant and cherry. The oak aging adds to the complexity of the wine providing smoky, vanilla notes. A young wine can be dense and powerful but as it ages the tannins soften out and the flavors and aromas become increasingly complex.
Although the region is primarily known for the Cabernet Sauvignons, there are a number of other significant reds produced. The region is also known for its production of Merlot which when not produced as a varietal, is used in blends. Pinot Noir is the third most produced varietal and grows in the Carneros region in the south which is the coolest district. Zinfadel is another important red in the wine portfolio. It is not as widely produced but its rich flavor is enjoyed by many wine lovers. It grows best on hillside sites in a warm, dry environment.
Red wine blends are also popular to drink as they often embrace the best of their component varietals. Three of these top red blends are Opus One, Dominus and Rubicon. They use Cabernet as the main component.
The best reds can be very costly, especially those produced by boutique wineries. Some of them have almost cult status amongst collectors. Many factors go into the pricing of wine such as taste, opinions of wine critics and amount of bottles produced for the year. Although the very best ones are probably too expensive for all but the most ardent wine collectors, it is possible to buy good quality wine at reasonable prices. Many well-priced varieties are available from online stores and shopping online makes price comparisons easy.
The vintners in this region benefit from living in one of the most geologically diverse wine regions worldwide. Most wineries are family-owned and these families are passionate about their area and turning their exceptional grapes into world class wine. Whether it is the savory, peppery varieties produced on hilly areas or fruity varieties in the valley, there are those to suit the tastes of every red wine lover.
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