California Wines, Rhone-Style Blends

Red Rhône Blendsthe potential for making Rhône-style wines and
Wines from the California Central Coast AVAbegin planting significantly. The grapes flourished, and
(American Viticultural Area) are now competing in thecultivation accelerated in the 1990's. A frenzy of
world market with award-winning Rhône-styleinterest followed, including the creation of an
blends. The terroir of this region is very similar to thatorganization dedicated to the promotion of
of the Rhône River Valley, which is the largestRhône wines known as The Rhone Rangers.
and most diversified wine-growing region in France.Syrah is the predominate grape of France's Northern
Made predominantly with Syrah, Mourvèdre,Rhône red wines. It is a hardy variety, growing
and Grenache grapes, these intriguing blends arewell even in poor soil. Although it prefers a cool
spicy, aromatic and well structured.climate it also grows well in warm temperatures. The
The Rhône River Valley of France has over 20Syrah wine has an intense dark purple-black color and
grape varietals in various appellations. The Syrah,tastes of blackberry, cassis, smoke and black pepper.
Mourvèdre and Grenache are the keyIn the Rhône blends it provides aromatics, deep
components of he Rhône blends, while therich color, minerality, and aging potential. The tannins
secondary varietals, which often make up only smalland chalky character provide a good foundation for
percentages of the blends, include Carignan, Cinsault,the softer, fruitier varieties such as Grenache.
Counoise, Petite Sirah, and others. In the hands of aMourvèdre has a long interesting history
good winemaker the blended Rhône grapes canbeginning in Spain, from where it was brought to
yield a more balanced and complex wine than theProvence in the Middle Ages. It remains a primary
single varietals. There is tremendous variety withingrape in Spain. It was brought to America in the late
the Rhône wines, and exploring these wines can1800's and was known as Mataró, named for
be a fascinating tasting adventure. They also pair wella town in Spain. It is a spicy wine with rich earthiness,
with rich and earthy foods such as grilled or roastedand soft fruit flavors. It offers structure and aging
meats, root vegetables and mushrooms, and darkpotential when blended with Grenache and Syrah.
fowl.The Grenache grape is also a hardy variety; it likes
California Style. The Central Coast AVA is about 250sandy soil and tolerates both heat and drought. It is
miles of California coastline between San Franciscothe second most widely planted grape in the world.
County and Santa Barbara County. ManyThe older the vines, the more interesting and
characteristics of the climate, soil and environmentcomplex are the grapes. The color and flavor
are much like the Rhône River Valley of France.however, can be intensified when the grapes are
The days are sunny and hot, assuring the maturity ofseverely pruned. It is typically a medium bodied wine
the fruit, while a marine layer cools the evenings,with low tannin and forward fruit flavor. It can open
preserving the acids in the grapes. The rainy seasonup the more intense tannic Syrah and
is in the winter months, with little or no rainfallMourvèdre varietals.
between March and October. The soil types areThere are many interesting and affordable
varied; from decomposed granite or volcanic red rockRhône-style blends coming from San Luis
of the mountain soil, to the alluvial sand, clay andObispo and Santa Barbara Counties. The vineyards in
loam of the valleys.these areas are growing excellent Rhône
While there is some history of planting Rhônegrapes. We look forward to more growers and
grapes in California as early as the 1920's, it was inwinemakers focusing on the producing of these
the 1970's and 80's that innovative winemakers sawoutstanding wines!