Overhead view of five glasses holding different styles of wine, from pale white and rosé to deep red and amber

California Style Blend

Winemaking

The Grapes

California is the leading wine producing region in the United States with nearly 90 percent of all production. California has been making wine since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries first planted vineyards to make wine for mass. Because California is a geologically diverse region with a variety of climates and terroirs, a wide range of wine grapes can be grown including French, Italian and Spanish varieties. The leading red grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel.

Grilled meat with orange slices, red onion and rosemary, beside a glass of red wine

The Wines

The favourite wine style for many Californian winemakers is a simple New World wine style. These wines differ from European or “Old World” wines in that they tend to be more fruit dominant. The reliably warm weather allows many wineries to use very ripe grapes in their wines, which makes them more fruit forward, with riper fruit flavours, rather than the earthy or mineralic style of wine from Europe. It also creates the opportunity for slightly sweeter wines with higher alcohol levels.

The Occasions

Fruity California style red blends pair well with many classic bar foods. Turn on the music, dim the lights and create a pub like atmosphere in your own home. The fruit in these wines can handle the sweetness in a sauce or marinade. Barbequed ribs or sweet and sticky chicken wings are simply perfect pairings.