| For many years, the California wines have been | | | | During the 19th century, Gold Rush period, many |
| closely linked with deep flavors, high alcohol | | | | of the settlers planted grapes together with their |
| content, more than just a hint of oak and | | | | other food crops. Once the European settlers |
| forward fruit. Both, the white and red wines, tend | | | | made California home, they took the help of the |
| to be slightly sweet in comparison to their | | | | settlers to graft the grapevines. Thus emerged a |
| European predecessors. However, this never | | | | stronger growth and bond between them, |
| really did bother or affect the California wine | | | | profiting the trade. With the onset of prohibition, |
| trade at all. They have come a long way from a | | | | winemaking for a profit ceased, with the |
| beverage past, largely dominated by wine coolers, | | | | exception of those who made sacramental wines |
| coffee and soda pop. Most Californians had not | | | | only. One of the main advantages of being in the |
| even tasted European wines till recently and were | | | | California winemaking industry is the accessibility |
| quite happy with their simple, off-dry wines. The | | | | of modern technology that aids the growth of |
| California wines are a natural produce of | | | | fine grapes. Reverse osmosis and spinning cone |
| geographical location of the region. On the other | | | | columns have taken the place of straining the |
| hand, the Italian wines are the product of | | | | grape juice through cheesecloth, to get rid of all |
| extensive cultivation, both by the public and by | | | | the impurities. |
| the winemakers. | | | | Many aficionados have been arguing about |
| In the world of fine wines and wine connoisseurs, | | | | modern technology causing the ruin of the terroir |
| European wines are definitely a class apart. | | | | of traditional wines. Terroir in French means taste |
| However, these days, California wines have | | | | of the earth and it basically means that when |
| evolved and progressed a lot. There are two | | | | anyone sips wine for the first time, they should |
| major wine producing regions in California, the | | | | be able to taste and be come a part of the local |
| Central Valley region and the San Francisco Bay | | | | culture and history of the wine that is blended into |
| coastal region. Some of the best quality grapes | | | | a single flavor. Experts claim that technology |
| are grown in Santa Clara, San Benito Valley, | | | | drains the distinctiveness out of wine and replaces |
| Sonoma and Livermore, with Napa Valley not far | | | | it with a near sterile flavor, resulting in little or no |
| behind. Famous for its sweet wines, the San | | | | memories of the experience at all. |
| Joaquin Valley is where most of the Californian | | | | Technology has certainly created a market for |
| wines are produced. Affordable and well | | | | inexpensive, flavored wines. European wines are |
| fermented, the wine traders are consistently | | | | uncommon, since they focus on a few wine |
| introducing newer and finer blends of table wines, | | | | varieties and not on mass production. However, |
| at reasonable rates. The reason behind California | | | | the wines produced are of superior quality and |
| being so capable of producing excellent quality and | | | | are expensive. The wine industry is indeed |
| high volume wines is the varying climate, | | | | flourishing. |
| throughout the state. | | | | |