Posts Tagged wine of the month club

California wine is a reflection of the land where they are produced and of the people who craft them.  The unique taste of these wines is due to the consistent weather conditions and fertile ground in which their grapes are grown. California wine growers produce some of the finest wines in the world due to the attention winegrape growers give to matching grape varieties to climate and location.

The impact of the first Spanish settlers on the California wine industry is huge. The Spaniards first planted vineyards in the 18th century as each mission was established. The grapes were grown for use in religious sacraments as well as for daily life. Early vine cuttings came from Mexico from the common black grape. Up until the 20th century this variety, also known as the “Mission Grape”, was the dominant grape.

The famous “California Gold Rush” increased the population in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys and some of California’s oldest wineries were started during that period. Celebrated vineyards such as Buena Vista, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook and Schramsberg were established at that time.

California Wine Regions

There are distinct California wine zones. They are separated in to 4 separate locations.  The number one vicinity is referred to as the North Coast area which is located north of San Francisco comprising of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. The Central Coast is the number two region which lies west of San Franicisco stretching down to Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, Santa Maria and Santa Ynez. Reaching all the way to the Mexican border from Los Angeles is the third section referred to as the South Coast vineyards that also include the Antelope and Temecula Valleys. The Central Valley is the fourth vicinity that would comprise of the Sierra foothills, Lodi and of course, the central valley.

Varieties of Grapes and Wines

The types of grapes available in the California wine country is almost as varried as its people. There are French, Italian and Spanish grapes as well as hybrid grapes and new varieties being developed all the time.

You will recognize such names as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir and more. They also grow red wine grapes that you may be familiar with such as the Barbera, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Sangiovese. They are also known for the white wine grapes of Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot gris,etc.

The New World Style California Wine

California wine is often referred to as “New World” wine.  The temperate and warmer climate in California ripens the grape earlier making for a frutier flavored wine with 13.5% alcohol levels. California wine making more often uses aged oak to produce full bodied wines.

California Wines Earn High Marks

More attention and rave reviews have been coming from the international arena as California wine producers craft higher quality wines each year. California is one of the most diverse winegrowing regions in the world and also one of the best sources for the premier wine of the month club.  Another wine club worth mentioning is the California wine club which offers offers premium California wines at great pricing.

A wine club is a great way to learn about the many types of wine and to sample different wines that you might not otherwise try. Many people appreciate the gift of a wine club membership around the holidays, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving if the recipient is generous with the wine they receive.

How do you go about choosing the right wine of the month club? Are all clubs the same and are there important things you should look out for when choosing a membership? You’ll find that there are different tools to help you make sure you’re choosing the one that suits you. Factors ranging from the type of wine to the cost will help you decide on the wine club you choose.

International Wines

You may like to join an international wine club or a club that have other gourmet membership options too. While cost should not be the only thing that you think about when choosing a wine club it is naturally an important consideration.

When you’re just getting into wine and aren’t even sure if it’s for you, consider trying one of the less expensive wine clubs and learn the wine basics. A wine tasting club that allows you to pay as little as $20 a month can still offer you some very decent wines to try. More expensive wine clubs will allow you to try more exclusive ranges and will also offer you more bottles of different types of wine each month. Decide on how much you would like to pay and you’ll be that much closer to experiencing gourmet wines.

You’ll find lots of different wine of the month clubs, so you shouldn’t just jump into the same one that your friends choose. You can join a wine club that only selects red or white wines. Many different clubs will actually showcase wines from say, California or Australia. Other clubs will choose international wines from all over the world.

If you are interested in finding wines that are not commercially available there are some clubs that offer a selection of wines from small vineyards that are hard to come by otherwise. The choice is up to you and many of these memberships are extremely affordable.

Look for the extra details that you might find enjoyable in a monthly wine club. Long standing members can be a really great indicator of overall customer satisfaction and this might help you to make your choice a little more easily. Make sure to find out what the shipping costs are and whether they are included in the membership fees, or if you’ll have to pay extra. You might also have other benefits to joining a particular club so look around and find the right type of wine club for you.

California wines are a reflection of the land where they are produced and of the people who craft them.  The unique taste of these wines is due to the consistent weather conditions and fertile ground in which their grapes are grown. California wine areas believe in achieving the highest quality, best flavored wines through good stewardship of the land and using sustainable practices in winegrape growing. (more…)