| If you, the casual wine taster, are looking for a way | | | | tasting party when you reference these accessible |
| to impress your casual wine tasting friends, it would | | | | locations for California wine north of Napa Valley, |
| serve you well to know that in the world of wine, | | | | especially if everyone was beginning to think you'd |
| what has been referred to as the "Judgment of | | | | missed your opportunities. In no particular order, they |
| Paris" was an important triumph for California. A blind | | | | are: |
| taste test competition between French and | | | | - Whispering Oaks Vineyard in Redding. Open 7 Days |
| Californian wines was organized in 1976 by British | | | | a week 8:30-3pm |
| wine merchant Steven Spurrier. It took place in Paris | | | | - The Vineyard at Creekside Pecan Gardens in Palo |
| and was judged by a panel of French men and | | | | Cedro. Open by appointment Monday through Friday |
| women. Spurrier, the judges, and the world were | | | | 9-5. |
| expecting the French wines to win; however, | | | | - Salmon Creek Vineyard in Redding. Open Monday |
| California wines took top positions in both the red | | | | through Saturday 9am to 9pm with a call ahead. |
| and white categories. This significantly affected New | | | | - Creekside Cellars tasting room and store in Chico. |
| World wine production, because California wine was | | | | Open Monday through Saturday 10-7 and Sunday |
| given legitimacy, inadvertently, by the French | | | | 12-5. |
| Masters. | | | | This list is a very small representation of the great |
| Today, California produces 90% of American wine; | | | | wineries in the North State. If you're reading this |
| so much that if California were a country it would be | | | | article with enough planning time to actually call |
| ranked fourth, just behind France, Italy, and Spain in | | | | ahead, consider doing some further research to find |
| wine production. Napa Valley and Sonoma County are | | | | the venues that will best suit your plans. |
| among the most well known places to get a taste of | | | | The good news is, wine isn't only for wine snobs in |
| quality California wine, but it is less known that there | | | | California. It's for everyone; so long as you're of age, |
| are some appealing wineries further north. | | | | of course. However, if you're still looking to gain |
| Most wineries are still family owned and operated. | | | | credibility among your friends, remember the story of |
| Because they are not widely staffed, many are open | | | | California's 1976 victory and consider perfecting this |
| only by appointment on weekends. This doesn't work | | | | French phrase before you get to tasting, "Wouah, ce |
| out so well for the casual wine taster who would | | | | vin est très bon." (Sounds like: vwoa, say vah |
| prefer a last minute drop by tasting, say, on a | | | | eeh tray bON.) You will appear much more impressive |
| Monday. It is those tasters to whom this article is | | | | if no French speakers are within earshot when you |
| dedicated. There's room for you in the world of | | | | chose to divulge your new phrase. If all else fails, just |
| California wine! | | | | remember: even if you didn't know about the |
| Here, especially for you, is a list of wineries with | | | | "Judgment of Paris," you know enough, and you're |
| more regular hours to cater to your casual wine | | | | guaranteed to find a welcoming atmosphere at the |
| tasting aspirations. You'll be the hero of your wine | | | | All-American wineries in Northern California. |