Napa Valley, California
Although
there are numerous renowned wine regions across the world, Napa Valley is very
well known in the United States especially, and is an extremely popular tourist
attraction in California. Due to a heavy emphasis on wine production and
consumption, a large amount of impeccable dining (and culinary training venues)
has developed over the years to accompany it. Napa Valley is home to over four
hundred wineries, and as a region caters to over 5 million tourists and locals
each year.
The
smaller sub-regions within Napa Valley include Calistoga, St. Helena (Deer
Park), Oakville/Rutherford, Yountville, Napa, and several outlying regions. John
Patchett established the first winery utilized for commercial production in the
region in 1858. However, it did not gain respect until 1966, when Robert Modavi
opened his winery in Oakville. In the late 19th and 20th
centuries, however, a Phylloxera louse killed many of the vines, Prohibition
shut down wineries across the valley, and the Great Depression followed which hurt
business even more. These three events combined were detrimental to wine
production and distribution in Napa Valley for a large period of time.
Nonetheless, the world had not seen the end to this wine region. Success in the
Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 was a huge advancement for Napa Valley and is said
to have truly established its world-class reputation. Napa Valley officially
received its own AVA designation in 1981.
Napa
Valley has a rare diversity of microclimates, which caters to the growth of a
variety of grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most widely
planted wine grapes in this region, but it is also home to a plethora of
others. These include Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc,
Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah/Shiraz, Nebbiolo, Petite
Sirah, Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, and Rhone Varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon has
been crowned the “King” of red grapes/wine in this area due to its complexity,
character and ability to age. However, people often visit vineyards in this
region to experience wines of new varieties and producers, which is definitely
available in abundance in Napa Valley.
Although
my research did not indicate the presence of any government-sponsored control
agencies in Napa Valley, that is not to say that there has not been legal
presence in the region. Due to its nearness to urban San Francisco, actions
were made to protect the exceptional wine production area from being overtaken
by development and tourism. In 1965, the Williamson Act protected individual
counties through local property taxation controls and the establishment of
agricultural preserves. In 1983, urban growth boundaries were established in
Napa County to keep the urban development from encroaching into their
agricultural areas. In 1990, the local government became stricter in the
regulation of the founding of new wineries and extension of those already
present.
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| Robert Modavi Winery |
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| Castello di Amorosa Castle |
According
to an article in the Chicago Tribune, Napa Valley owes its glamour,
astronomical prices, and hook on wine-o’s, all to its dirt. There are over
thirty identified types of soil in the region, which range from silty clays to
gravelly soils with appropriate drainage for the desired viticulture. The
terroir of Napa varies across sub-regions and instills many unique characteristics
in different wines of the same variety. For example, the climate in Calistoga
is warm to hot, with lower humidity and summer temperature peaks of 90 degrees
Fahrenheit and lows of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, due to marine air traveling from
the northwest. The soils originate mainly from volcanoes, and range from rocky
on hillsides to clay-silt loams in valley areas. On the other hand, the
Oakville climate is moderately warm, with temperatures commonly in the
mid-nineties, and attribute their balanced acidity levels to the presence of
night and morning fog. The soil in this sub-region is predominantly sedimentary
soil in the west and more volcanic in the east, both of which are fairly deep
with standard water retention. This goes to show there is great variance in
terroir of the many sub-regions of the Napa Valley, which enhances the
individuality and matchlessness of the wines in this area.
Historically,
Napa Valley wineries have provided more than the minimum amount of information
required by labeling laws. The brand name is mandatory, and if it is not
present, the name of the bottler is considered the brand. The vintage, on the
other hand, is optional. The year designated reflects the year that the grapes
were harvested, but U.S. law allows 15% of a blend to be from another year.
Unless a wine is from a specific American Viticultural Area, in which case 95%
of the grapes must be from the indicated vintage year. The wine type is
mandatory on the label, and if it is stated to be a certain varietal, it must
include 75% of that grape as well as have its “taste, aroma, and
characteristics”. This law ensures that wine labels are conveying the true
product that is being purchased. Other mandatory label characteristics include
producer and bottler, alcohol content, fluid volume, declaration of sulfites,
and government warning. The vineyard of origin, estate where it is bottles, and
special designations or qualities are optional.
Although
this post only outlines an overview of the wine components of the Napa Valley,
of which it is famous for, researching it led me to recognize the amazing
opportunities for exploration in this area. From culinary escapades to outdoor
adventures, sightseeing and tastings, this is a wine region with a LOT to
offer. Planning a trip or simply traveling to Napa Valley and exploring from
there would undoubtedly be an amazing experience.
Sources:
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