NationMaster - Encyclopedia: California Wine

California wine has a long and continuing history, and in recent decades has become recognized producing some of the world's finest wine, matching the produce of the classic winemaking regions of France and, in some wine competitions, such as the historic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, surpassing it. While wine is made in all fifty states, it is California where the great majority (up to 90% by some estimates) is produced. If fact, California would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world if it were an independent nation. The most common form of wine competition is one in which awards are given to groups of wines in various winning categories on the basis of the blind tasting of wine. ... French wines were generally believed by most people to be the very best wines in the world until 1976. ...

1 Early years
2 Prohibition
3 Repeal
4 Wine revolution
5 See also
6 Sources
7 External links

Early years

In 1769, Franciscan missionary Father Junipero Serra planted the first California vineyard at Mission San Diego de Alcala. Father Serra continued to establish eight more missions and vineyards until his death in 1784 and has been called the "Father of California Wine". The variety he planted, presumably descended from earlier Mexican plantings, became known as the Mission grape and dominated California wine production until about 1880. 1769 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 - August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan who founded the California mission chain. ... A vineyard Vineyard with bird netting Wine grapes with netting as protection against birds A vineyard (vignoble in French, vigna or vigneto in Italian, vinha in Portuguese, viÃ±a or viÃ±edo in Spanish, Weinberg in German) is a place where grapes are grown for making wine, raisins, or table... Mission San Diego de AlcalÃ¡ as it stood circa 1900. ... A mission literally means something that is sent, from the Latin word missum, sent. Thus we may refer to space exploration expeditions as space missions, or to a diplomatic outpost in a foreign territory as a diplomatic mission. Christian missions are movements or outposts of Christian proselytism. ...

California's first documented imported European wine vines were planted in Los Angeles in 1833 by Jean-Louis Vignes. In the 1850s and 1860s, Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian soldier, merchant and promoter, made several trips to import cuttings from 165 of the greatest European vineyards to California. Some of this endeavor was at his personal expense and some through grants from the state. Overall, he introduced about 300 different grape varieties, although some were lost prior to testing, due to difficulties in preserving and handling. Considered the Founder of the California Wine Industry, Haraszthy contributed his enthusiasm and optimism for the future of wine, along with considerable personal effort and risk. He founded Buena Vista Winery and promoted vine planting over much of Northern California. He dug extensive caves for cellaring, promoted hillside planting, fostered the idea of non-irrigated vineyards and suggested Redwood for casks when oak supplies ran low. Nickname: City of Angels Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: State California County Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Area - City 1,290. ... // Events and Trends Technology Production of steel revolutionised by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman fractionates petroleum by distillation for the first time First transatlantic telegraph cable laid First safety elevator installed by Elisha Otis Science Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species, putting forward the theory of evolution... // Events and trends Technology The First Transcontinental Railroad in the United States is built in the six year period between 1863 and 1869. ... Agoston Haraszthy (1812-1869), the â€œFather of Modern Viticulture in California,â€ was born in Hungary. ... Northern California, sometimes abbreviated NorCal, refers to the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. ... Binomial name Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl. ...

In 1861 Charles Krug established Napa Valley's first commercial winery in St. Helena. 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

In 1863, species of native American grapes were taken to Botanical Gardens in England. These cuttings carried a species of root louse called phylloxera which attacks and feeds on the vine roots and leaves. Phylloxera is indigenous to North America and native vine varieties had developed resistance. European vines had no such evolutionary protection. By 1865, phylloxera had spread to vines in Provence. Over the next 20 years, it inhabited and decimated nearly all the vineyards of Europe. Many methods were attempted to eradicate phylloxera but all proved temporary and none economical. 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Grape Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, family Phylloxeridae, superfamily Aphidoidea) is a serious pest of commercial grapevines worldwide, originally native to eastern North America. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Finally Thomas Munson, a horticulturist in Texas, suggested grafting the European vinifera vines onto American riparia rootsocks. So, there began a long, laborious process of grafting every wine vine in Europe over to American rootstocks. It was only in this manner that the European wine industry could be retrieved from extinction. Thomas Munson was the Texas horticulturalist who suggested grafting European Vitis vinifera grape vines onto American Vitis riparia rootstock to combat the deadly phylloxera root louse that was destroying vineyards throughout Europe in the second half of the 19th century. ... Official language(s) See: Languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area Ranked 2nd - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 kmÂ²) - Width 773 miles (1,244 km) - Length 790 miles (1,270 km) - % water 2. ...

In 1879 Captain Gustave Niebaum established Inglenook Winery in Rutherford, California a small village (in Napa Valley). It was the first Bordeaux style winery in USA. Captain Nienaum's wines became world renown. His Inglenook wínes won gold medals at the World's Fair of Paris in 1889. 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Inglenook Winery produced estate bottled wines in Rutherford, California (Napa Valley) and was first acquired in [[1879 by a Finnish Sea Captain Gustave Niebaum, founder of the Inglenook Winery. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area Ranked 3rd - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 kmÂ²) - Width 250 miles (400 km) - Length 770 miles (1,240 km) - % water 4. ... Napa County is in north-central California Napa Valley is most famous for its wine. ... New city flag (traditional tri-crescent) City coat of arms Motto: The fleur-de-lis alone rules over the moon, the waves, the castle, and the lion Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country France RÃ©gion Aquitaine DÃ©partement Gironde (33) Intercommunality Urban Community of Bordeaux Mayor Alain... A Worlds Fair is any of various large expositions held since the mid-19th century. ... City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country France RÃ©gion ÃŽle-de-France DÃ©partement Paris (75) Subdivisions 20 arrondissements Mayor Bertrand DelanoÃ« (PS) (since 2001) City Statistics Land area... 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

During the period when the Europeans were contending with phylloxera, the American wine industry was ironically flourishing. By 1900, America had a fully developed and proud commercial wine producing business. Many California wines received medals in European competitions. Barrels of California wine were being regularly exported to Australia, Canada, Central America, England, Germany, Mexico and the Orient. 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, but a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. ... Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Prohibition

The destruction of the American wine industry would come not from phylloxeria but from National Prohibition (1920-1933). Thirty-three states had gone dry at the outbreak of World War I. Wartime Prohibition was enacted in 1919, followed by the Volstead National Prohibition Act and the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, forbidding the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors." Prohibition is any of several periods during which the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted or illegal. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 3 - Babe Ruth is traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees for $125,000, the largest sum ever paid for a player at that time. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Combatants Allied Powers: France Italy Russia Serbia United Kingdom United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Germany Ottoman Empire Commanders Ferdinand Foch Georges Clemenceau Victor Emmanuel III Luigi Cadorna Nicholas II Aleksei Brusilov Herbert Henry Asquith Douglas Haig John Jellicoe Woodrow Wilson John Pershing Wilhelm II Paul von Hindenburg Reinhard... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Amendment XVIII (the Eighteenth Amendment) of the United States Constitution, along with the Volstead Act (which defined intoxicating liquors), established Prohibition in the United States. ...

Through a loophole allowing each home to "make 200 gallons of non-intoxicating cider and fruit juice per year," thousands of otherwise law-abiding citizens became home winemakers and bootleggers. Prices for fresh grapes shot up, because of the increased demand and a railroad shortage of refrigerated freight cars in which to ship them.

Growers began replanting fine wine variety vineyards to juice grape varieties that shipped well. The massive plantings produced a constant surplus of low-quality grapes that persisted until 1971. 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ...

By the time of National Repeal, effective December 5, 1933, the industry was in ruins. Although some wineries managed to survive by obtaining permits to make wines used for medicinal, sacramental and non-beverage additive purposes, production dropped 94% from 1919 to 1925. December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Repeal

Even after Repeal of Prohibition, several states stayed dry:Kansas until 1948, Oklahoma until 1957, and Mississippi until 1966. Seventeen states chose to establish monopoly liquor stores with limited selections. Today 10% of the nation's area and 6% of the population remain dry. In 1919, the requisite number of legislatures of the States ratified The 18th Amendment to the Federal Constitution, enabling national Prohibition within one year of ratification. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Area Ranked 20th - Total 69,960 sq mi (181,196 kmÂ²) - Width 230 miles (370 km) - Length 298 miles (fBlack Mesa Mountain]][2] km) - % water 1. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... Alcoholic beverage control states, generally called control states, are those in the United States that have state monopoly over the wholesaling and/or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, distilled spirits. ...

Anticipating Repeal, speculators and others soon flooded the legal market with quickly and poorly made wine. Dilettantes published books and articles warning Americans about rigid rules that must be followed to serve the proper wine with the proper food from the proper glass at the proper temperature. Faced with low quality products with which to risk committing social blunders and while remaining uncertain about the social acceptance of any alcohol, most Americans stayed away.

The only group of wines that sold well were the fortified dessert wines. Taxed at the lower rate of wine as opposed to distilled spirits, but with 20% alcohol, this group made the cheapest intoxicant available. Before 1920, table wines accounted for 3 of every 4 gallons shipped. After 1933, fortified wines were 3 of every 4 gallons shipped. It wasn't until 1968 that table wines sales finally overtook fortified wines, regaining the status of most popular wine category. Dessert wines are those wines which are typically served with dessert, although they are also drunk on their own, i. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 3 - Babe Ruth is traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees for $125,000, the largest sum ever paid for a player at that time. ... In the United States, table wine is used as a legal definition to differentiate standard wine from stronger (higher alcohol content) fortified wine or sparkling wine. ...

Before 1920, there were more than 2,500 commercial wineries in the United States. Less than 100 survived as winemaking operations to 1933. By 1960, that number had grown to only 271. California had 713 bonded wineries before Prohibition; it took more than half a century, until 1986, before that many were again operating. 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ...

Prohibition left a legacy of distorting the role of alcohol in American life and ruining a fledgling world-class wine industry, which took decades of work to overcome. Research at the University of California at Davis and Fresno State University greatly assisted the new breed of vintners who arrived in California in the 1960s and who were committed to producing wine of the highest international standards. The University of California, Davis, popularly known as UC Davis, is one of the ten University of California campuses. ... The campus on a sunny day The campus on a foggy morning California State University, Fresno, commonly referred to as Fresno State, is one of the campuses of California State University, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range. ...

Wine revolution

A bottle of Stag's Leap Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvigon

André Tchelistcheff is generally credited with ushering in the modern era of winemaking in California. Beaulieu Vineyards (BV) founder and owner Georges de Latour hired Tchelisticheff in 1938. He introduced several new techniques and procedures, such as aging wine in small French Oak barrels, cold fermentation, vineyard frost prevention, and malolactic fermentation. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (681x1024, 220 KB) Bottle of Stags Leap Cabernet Photo by Tutanium22 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (681x1024, 220 KB) Bottle of Stags Leap Cabernet Photo by Tutanium22 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... AndrÃ© Tchelistcheff (December 7, 1901 - April 5, 1994) was Americas most influential post-Prohibition winemaker. ... Beaulieu Vineyard was established in 1900 in Napa Valley, Californiia. ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Wine barrel. ... Malolactic fermentation is a process of fermentation where tart malic acid is converted to softer-tasting lactic acid. ...

Brother Timothy; a member of Congregation of Christian Brothers was also very instrumental in the creation of the modern wine industry. After an earlier career as a teacher, he transferred to the order's Mont La Salle located on Mount Veeder in the Mayacamas Mountains east of Napa, California in 1935 to become the wine chemist for the order's expanding wine operations. The Christian Brothers had grown grapes and made sacramental wine in Benicia, California during Prohibition, but decided to branch out into commercial production of wine and brandy following the repeal of Prohibition. The science teacher was a fast learner and soon established Christian Brothers as one of the leading brands in the state's budding wine industry; Brother Timothy's smiling face in advertisements and promotional materials became one of the most familiar images for wine consumers across the country. The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a world-wide community of religious brothers of the Catholic church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. ... The Mayacmas Mountains are located in northwestern California in the United States. ... Napa is the county seat of Napa County, California. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Benicia is a city located in Solano County, California. ... A repeal is the removal or reversal of a law. ...

In 1965, Napa Valley icon Robert Mondavi broke away from his family's Charles Krug estate to found his own in Oakville California. It was the first new large scale winery to be established in the valley since before prohibition. Following the establishment of the Mondavi estate the number of wineries in the valley continued to grow, as did the region's reputation. 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... Robert Gerald Mondavi (born June 18, 1913 in Virginia, Minnesota, United States) is a leading vineyard operator whose technical improvements and marketing strategies brought worldwide recognition for the wines of the Napa Valley in California. ...

Some California wine makers began to produce quality wines but still had difficulty marketing them. Frank Schoonmaker, a prominent journalist and wine writer of the 1950s and 1960s introduced the idea of labeling wines using varietal (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling) rather than generic names borrowed from famous European regions (Burgundy, Chablis, Rhine, etc.). Robert Mondavi was one of the first to label the majority of his wines by varietal names and was tireless in promoting the practice. Wine writer Frank Schoonmaker was born in Spearfish, South Dakota, on August 20, 1905. ... The 1950s was the decade spanning the years 1950 to 1959. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ... Pinot Noir vines at Clos de BÃ¨ze, Gervey-Chambertin, on the CÃ´te dOr, France Pinot noir is a variety of Vitis vinifera, the red grape used commonly in winemaking, and may also refer to wines produced predominantly from pinot noir grapes. ... Oak-aged Chardonnay is particularly popular in the United States. ... Ripe grapes of Riesling Riesling is a white grape variety and varietal appellation of wines grown historically in Alsace (France), Austria, Germany (see German wine), and northern Italy. ... Coat of arms of the 2nd duchy of Burgundy and later of the French province of Burgundy Burgundy (French: Bourgogne) is a historic region of France, inhabited in turn by Pre-Indo-European people, Celts (Gauls), Romans (Gallo-Romans), and various Germanic peoples, most importantly the Burgundians and the Franks. ... The Chablis wine region is the northernmost sector of Burgundy, France, and also the name of a town located there. ...

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the quality of some vintners' wines was outstanding but few took notice. On May 24, 1976, a blind tasting was held in Paris with a panel made up exclusively of French wine experts. After comparing California Chardonnays with the very best French Chardonnays, three of the top four were Californian. Every one of the nine judges ranked Chateau Montelena the highest, Chalone Vineyard came in third and Spring Mountain Vineyard fourth. When reds were evaluated, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars was ranked number one, above Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château Montrose, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Leoville Las Cases, all highly prestigious and very expensive French wines. This historic competition focused a great deal of attention on wines from the Napa Valley. The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... French wines were generally believed by most people to be the very best wines in the world until 1976. ... Chateau Montelena is a Napa Valley winery first established in 1882. ... Chalone Vineyard is located south of San Francisco, California, on an unusual geological formation called the Gavilan benchland. ... Spring Mountain Vineyard is a 225 acre vineyard consisting of 135 different vineyard blocks scattered over the 845 acre estate in Californias Napa Vally. ... Stags Leap Wine Cellars, not to be confused with Stags Leap Winery, is a Napa Valley winery established by Warren Winiarski in 1972. ... ChÃ¢teau Mouton Rothschild, located 50 km (30 mi) north-west of the city of Bordeaux, France in an area known as the MÃ©doc, specifically the village of Pauillac. ... ChÃ¢teau Montrose is a Second Growth in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 and is one of the most prestigious wine producers in France. ... ChÃ¢teau Haut-Brion is a First Growth in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. ... ChÃ¢teau LÃ©oville-Las Cases is a Second Growth in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. ... France is one of the oldest wine producing regions of Europe. ... Napa Valley is widely considered one of the top wine regions in California, and all of the United States with a history dating back to the nineteenth century. ...

In 1981 , New York Times wine critic Terry Robards noted that "American wines are often challenging French wines in tasting competitions these days, and the results often suggest that certain carefully chosen California wine are superior to the best that France can offer." 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On the tenth anniversary of the Paris competition, the red wines earlier evaluated were re-tested in two separate blind tastings (the French Culinary Institute Wine Tasting of 1986 and the Wine Spectator Wine Tasting of 1986). In both cases, the California wines increased their rankings, apparently having aged better than their Bordeaux competitors. The French Culinary Institute Wine Tasting of 1986 was conducted on the tenth anniversary of the historic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. ... The Wine Spectator Wine Tasting of 1986 was conducted on the tenth anniversary of the historic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. ... New city flag (traditional tri-crescent) City coat of arms Motto: The fleur-de-lis alone rules over the moon, the waves, the castle, and the lion Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country France RÃ©gion Aquitaine DÃ©partement Gironde (33) Intercommunality Urban Community of Bordeaux Mayor Alain...

The Wine Rematch of the Century [1], officially known as "The Tasting that Changed the Wine World: 'The Judgment of Paris' 30th Anniversary," was conducted on May 24, 2006.[2] The event was held simultaneously at COPIA (The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts) in California and at Berry Bros. & Rudd (Britain’s oldest wine merchant) in London, in association with Steven Spurrier, who created the original Paris wine competition[3]. The California wines increased their rankings, taking the top five of ten ranks, having apparently aged much better than their French competitors. The Wine Rematch of the Century [1], officially known as The Tasting that Changed the Wine World: The Judgment of Paris 30th Anniversary, was conducted on May 24, 2006. ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In Roman mythology, Copia was the goddess of abundance. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ...

In Oz Clarke's New encyclopedia of Wine, Mr. Clarke writes that California "was the catalyst and then the locomotive for change that finally prised open the ancient European wineland's rigid grip on the hiearchy of quality wine and led the way in proving that there are hundreds if not thousands of places around the world where good to great wine can be made." He observes that "until the exploits of California's modern pioneers of the 1960's and '70's, no-one had ever before challenged the right of Europe's, and in particular, France's vineyards, to be regarded as the only source of great wine in the world."

Backed by continuing research, California vintners continue to innovate in attempts to further enhance the quality and competitiveness of their products. The story of California wine continues to evolve.

Sources

Adapted slightly from Wine history by permission of author, Jim LaMar, editor of Professional Friends of Wine.
Clarke, Oz. Oz Clarke's New encyclopedia of Wine. NY: Harcourt Brace, 1999, 106.
Paris Wine Tasting of 1976
Ottawa Wine Tasting of 1981

French wines were generally believed by most people to be the very best wines in the world until 1976. ... The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 revolutionized the wine world. ...

External links

Paso Robles Wineries Directory of wineries located in Paso Robles, California's "Wine Country."
The Judgment of Paris

Categories: California culture | American wines | Wine

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Contents

Early years

Prohibition

Repeal

Wine revolution

See also

Wine competitions featuring wines from California

Associated with Paris Wine Tasting of 1976

Other

Sources

External links

Contents

Early years var ACE_AR = {Site: '756743', Size: '300250'};

Prohibition

Repeal

Wine revolution

See also

Wine competitions featuring wines from California

Associated with Paris Wine Tasting of 1976

Other

Sources

External links

Early years