Suite101

California Wine

Alan Boehmer

Articles

California Chenin Blanc

Our tasting panel evaluates current California Chenin Blancs and compares them to French Vouvrays.

Chenin Blanc - California's Awkward Child

We look at the delicious Chenin Blancs of the Loire in preparation for descriptions and reviews of current California examples.

Central Coast Zinfandel Focusses on Style

Boutique Central Coast winerys offer new, powerful Zinfandels.

California Chardonnay vs. White Burgundy

Current white Burgundy wines compared to super premium California Chardonnays.

California Invests in South America - Red Wine Reviews

Economy, medium priced, and luxury red wines from Chile and Argentina are compared to comparable offerings from California. Reviews and recommendations.

California Invests in South America - White Wine Reviews

Comparisons between California and South American wines. Reviews of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Camelot — a New Label Offers Quality and Economy

Reviews of Kendall-Jackson's new Camelot lineup of California varietal wines.

Wine and Your Health

The current state of research into the relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and health. Links to many data sources.

California Sauvignon Blancs — Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews of current California Sauvignon Blancs with comparisons to examples from France, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Cross-Varietal Blends — Reviews

Reviews of current cross-varietal blended wines from California.

The Nature of Cross-Varietal Blended Wines

Why winemakers choose to blend wines with different flavor characteristics.

California Blended Wines

A look at the recent trend towards blended wines in California.

Oregon vs. California — Reviews

A review of selected Oregon and California Pinot Gris, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs.

Oregon vs. California - Part 1

A comparative tasting of wines from Oregon and California. In two parts.

Buying Wine on the Internet

Recommended sites for online wine purchases.

New Clone of Viognier Discovered

Zaca Mesa Winery announces a new clone of the French Viognier varietal.

California’s Super Tuscans

A review of some of California's top Sangiovese blends.

California Sangiovese — Reviews

Reviews of California Sangiovese, continued from previous article. Part 3 in a series.

California Sangiovese — Reviews and Recommendations

The beginnings of Sangiovese in California with reviews of current releases from Atlas Peak Vineyards.

Catching Up to Chianti — Part 1

An introduction to Chianti and California Sangiovese wines.

California Port Comes of Age

A review of California's finest Port-style wines.

California Malvasia Bianca — Reviews

Our recommendations for California's most outstanding Malvasia Bianca wines.

California Pinot Grigio— Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews of California's finest Pinot Grigios.

Pinot Grigio Finds a Home in California

Introduction to the Pinot Grigio varietal with reviews of Italian and California examples. Two parts.

Family Winemakers Hosts First Southern California Tasting

A report on the first Family Winemakers of California Trade Tasting in Southern California, June 2000.

California Barbera — Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews of some of California's leading Barberas.

California Barbera Comes of Age

The state of Barbera in California. Italian and California Barberas compared.

Life after Chardonnay

A recounting of American table wine traditions.

French Terroir — California Microclimates

A discussion of viticultural microclimates in California.

Current Directions in California Wine

What to expect in the coming years from the California wine industry.

Lodi Zinfandels

A review of Lodi appellation Zinfandels and comparison to wines of other California regions.

Surprises from Lodi

First in a series of articles on the exciting Lodi appellation.

1999 — A Vintage to Remember

A report on the 1999 vintage in California.

Cellar Delights (and disappointments)

A personal comparison of cellared and current release California Cabernet Sauvignons.

A South African Challenge

Results of a blind tasting of South African and California wines.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains: Homemade and Commercial Solutions

Advice on removing red wine stains from clothing, carpets, and tablecloths.

Californians Size Up the Pacific Northwest

California and Pacific Northwest wines compared.

New Beginnings

A look at past accomplishments and future prospects for the wine industry.

Holiday Wines

Which wines to serve with holiday foods?

Pinot Noir

The saga of Pinot Noir in California.

Winery Cellar Clubs

The advantages of joining winery cellar clubs. Descriptions of different types and recommendations.

Market Influence in the Evolution of Winemaking

The market influence on winemaking and wine offerings.

Sushi Wine

Which California wines work best with Japanese food?

The International Rhône Craze

The rise of Rhône varietals in California and around the world.

Current Trends in Cal-Ital Wines

The rise of Sangiovese in California.

The Italian Style In California Wine

The "California Style" compared to the "Italian Style."

The Italian Renaissance in California Wine

The Italian Influence in California Wine. First in a series.

The State of California Chardonnay

A close look at California Chardonnay.

Regional Styles in California Wine

A comparison between North Coast and Central Coast wines.

17th Annual Wine Tasting Championships — July 24 & 25, 1999

Greenwood Ridge's Annual Wine Tasting Competition celebrates its 17th year.

Wine Touring in the Sierra Foothills — Part 2

Recommendations for touring in the Sierra Foothills region of California.

Paso Robles Hosts International Hospice du Rhône

Paso Robles hosts the world's largest celebration of Rhone varietal wines.

The Sierra Foothills — California’s Oldest Winegrowing Region

An introduction to California's oldest and most exciting wine region.

Wine Touring in Santa Barbara County

Tips on wine touring in California's pictuesque Santa Barbara County.

Wine Touring in California — Part 1

First in a series of articles on wine touring in California.

California Grapescapes

Some thoughts on the burgeoning business of winegrape farming in California.

The New Corks

The case for synthetic vs. natural corks.

Syrah — California’s Undiscovered Triumph

The success of the Syrah grape in California.

Purchasing Older Wines

The risks of purchasing older wines.

TASTING NOTE: Foxen Cabernet Sauvignon 1993

A discussion of Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignons, with tasting note on Foxen 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon.

A Second Look at Ratings

Some thoughts and advice about wine ratings.

The Mystery of Chardonnay

A discussion of the differences between Old World and New World Chardonnays.

California Cabernet Sauvignon — When to Drink

When is the best time to drink California California Cabernet Sauvignon?

The Rise of Shiraz in California

Australia wine conglomerate tries to bring Aussie style Shiraz to California.

Demographics of Wine: California vs. Europe

California wine demographics compared to Europe.

There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills

Fabulous new wines are now flowing from California's Sierra foothills.

Best of Both Worlds

An informal comparative tasting of a top red Bordeaux and a top California Cabernet Sauvignon.

A Wine Lover’s New Year’s Party

A "proper" celebration of the New Year.

Are California Cabernets Ageworthy?

The benefits of ageing California Cabernet Sauvignons.

California’s Bordeaux-style Blends — Part 2

Second part of a discussion on California Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

California’s Bordeaux-style Blends — Part 1

Has California Cabernet Sauvignon really caught up with the best of Bordeaux?

How to Get the Most from Your Wine-Tasting Experience

How to maximize your wine tasting pleasure.

Think NOUVEAU!

The ultimate harvest celebration wine.

Thanksgiving Day Wines

Wines for Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Paying Attention

How wine demands our closest attention.

Rating the Ratings

A discussion of wine rating systems.

The Fabulous Story of Hoffman Mountain Ranch

HMR-The story of Hoffman Mountain Ranch

Understanding Wine Labels - Part 2

How to understand wine labels — concluded.

Understanding Wine Labels — Part 1

How to interpret a wine label. Part 1

Savoring Sweet Wines

Some thoughts about sweet wines and food pairings.

Discover Sauvignon Blanc

An introduction to modern Sauvignon Blanc wines.

The High Price of Wine - Part 2

Inexpensive American wines

The High Price of Wine — Part 1

The high price of wine.

Distinguishing Red Wine Varietals

Why red wines are so hard to tell apart.

Spain’s Favorite Son Comes to California

California’s new love: Tempranillo

California’s Mystery Grape - conclusion

Second of two articles on Petite Sirah — California's mystery gr

California’s Mystery Grape

California's mystery grape. See if you can tell what it is.

The Geography of Wine - Part 2

The Geography of Wine-Part 2. Favorable viticultural regions of the southern hemisphere.

The Geography of Wine-Part 1

The Geography of Wine. Why winegrapes grow only in certain regions.

The Winegrapes of Antiquity

Interesting notes on the origin of European winegrape varietals.

Faith: A Tasting Report/Sermon

Telling White Wines Apart

Cooking with Wine

Chinese Red Wine: a Tasting Note

Independence Day Wines

Wine reccos for Canada Day and the Fourth of July

Doing Our Best: A Tasting Note

Wine Tasting 101: How Important Is Proper Glassware?

How important is the glass into which we pour fine wine? Does it really make that much difference?

Manly Wines for Dad

Tips on choosing proper wines for a proper Dad!

California Wine Faces East Coast Competition

Wine Tasting 101: Wine and Food

Storing and Aging Wine

Wine Tasting 101: From Plonk to Paradise

Just when you thought Zinfandel was easy . . .

California’s Other Cabernet