The name is long associated to American vino, Napa Valley is one of the United States’ premier winemaking regions in the United States. The region, which is mostly predominantly dominated by family-owned wineries is a magnet for all kinds of drinkers from beginners to collectors. This is a brief overview of this wine region with a long history and the top wines, ideal by sipping a glass of nothing more that Napa Valley wine.
History
George Yount first planted grapes in 1839. He was later followed by other new settlers who introduced Vitis Vinifera in the vicinity. The year 1861 was when Charles Krug established what is believed to be to be the first commercial winery. It also was the pioneer for subsequent companies that still in operation today, including Beringer, Inglenook, and Schramsberg.
The boom in wine soon slowed down with a glut of grapes, the emergence of phylloxera, an insect that destroys vines in vineyards as well as Prohibition nearly destroyed 100 years worth of work. Fortunately, vintners who were resilient began building Napa Valley once Prohibition was lifted.
When Napa Valley was gaining recognition nationally, it was overlooked by the rest the world. The famed Judgment of Paris — in which Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ Cabernet Sauvignon and Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay overcame French Bordeaux as well as Burgundies in blind tastings swiftly changed the game in turn, Napa Valley cabernets and chardonnarys were thrown into the spotlight. These iconic grapes continue to dominate the landscape, however new generations of adventurous winemakers are exploring different varieties and bringing new life to the region that is so popular.
Landscaping of the Land
Napa Valley was established as the first Californian AVA in the year 1981. It is now comprised of 16 sub AVAs each with its distinctive characteristics, form the entire area. Amazingly, Napa Valley, with its large personality, is only 30 miles in length and a few miles wide. And it has just one-sixth of the vineyard area as Bordeaux.
Take your way along the Silverado Trail, constructed in 1852. It links two towns, Napa and Calistoga Wineries sparkle along the wine-filled route, and you may be whipped by reading the names of famous people you come across throughout the route. The west side from the Silverado Trail runs the St. Helena Highway which is a major highway that is lined with prestigious wineries like Grgich Hills, Louis M. Martini as well as Opus One. There are over 400 wineries as well as around 700 grape growers in Napa Valley.
Being one of the most popular tourist-friendly wine regions in the world Many wineries offer multi-sensory experiences within their gorgeous tasting rooms that appeal to a variety of budgets and tastes. If you decide to follow a strict plan, or take your time You’re bound to find something fresh and exciting however, keep in mind that many wineries are now asking for advance reservations.
What Napa wine to Drink?
Cabernet Sauvignon
The saying goes that Cabernet is the king in Napa 50 percent of Napa’s vineyards are planted with the most sought-after international variety. It is typically produced in a lavish and luxurious style that has flavors of dark brooding fruits, cocoa and leather. Tannins are typically prominent, however they soften and blend well when the wine gets older. cooler sites, like Spring Mountain, may produce more leaner versions from this Napa Valley favorite. The past 10 years, excluding 2011 , with its wet harvest, have yielded incredible cabernet sauvignon vintages.
Chardonnay
The expression “California Chardonnay” refers to a particular type of chardonnay. Malolactic fermentation and oak use gives the wine distinctive and well-known flavor that is creamy and buttery. In recent times producers have been abstaining from the malo and oak to let the terroir as well as the fruit show through. In the present, Napa Valley chardonnay runs all over the place in style. the enjoyment is in sifting at the various options offered by wineries to discover your favourite.
Merlot
The grape was a victim following its slur in the film Sideways (which was set within Santa Barbara County, not Napa Valley) but it’s getting a boost in the popularity. The grape is known for its rich grapes and smooth tannins, consumers are discovering how delicious this red grape is.
Sauvignon Blanc
The Napa’s “other” white (“other” which is 6percent of the total plantations in comparison to chardonnay’s 15 percent) The wine draws inspiration from significant sauvignon blanc regions like those in the Loire Valley and New Zealand However, the fruit is pure Napa. Very aromatic and with good minerality, wineries discover their own distinct expressions from flinty and lean to large and round.
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is closely connected to Sonoma County, vineyards in specific microclimates within Napa Valley have success with this delicate grape. The riper, more dense berry notes and a larger body give Napa pinots distinctive from those you’ll encounter in cooler climates, however they possess a character distinct to them.
Zinfandel
The third most planted grape variety in California Zinfandel makes up just 3percent of Napa’s plantations. It’s big, and it’s not a big deal, but some of the most outstanding examples are found in Napa vineyards and are well worth looking for.
In addition to these six essential varieties, an array of other grapes also make their place in the landscape of vineyards like gewurztraminer cabernet franc and chenin blanc, to mention just a few.
With stunning views of the vineyard with top-quality wines and a profound feeling of hospitality, it’s not difficult to see the reason Napa Valley is top of minds for a lot of wine drinkers.
