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Varietal: Zinfandel
Zinfandel grapes are renowned for being quite fast growing and somewhat vigorous, thriving best in climates which are warm, but not too hot. As Zinfandel grapes are thin skinned, they are prone to dry and shrivel in too much heat, and due to the fact that they grow in large, tightly packed bunches, they are also sensitive to rot. As such, Zinfandel is a grape variety which requires quite a lot of care and attention, but which can produce beautiful results given the right conditions. Indeed, this grape varietal is often praised for the fact that it is one which can demonstrate the skill and expertise of the winery processing it, and clearly demonstrates the features of the terroir it is grown. Partly this is due to those thin skins – the lower tannin content in the wines allows other features of the grape to come forward and be displayed in all their various glories. The grapes themselves are known to ripen early, and produce plenty of juice with a high sugar content. It is not unusual, however, for wineries to take a late harvest of Zinfandel grapes, and the concentrated sugars and over-ripe fruits often make for excellent dessert wines, also.
Region: California
Since the 18th century, California has been a hugely important and influential wine region, acting as a trailblazer for other New World wine regions and utilizing an important blend of traditional and contemporary practices, methods and techniques relating to their wine production. Split into four key areas – the North Coast, the Central Coast, the South Coast and the Central Valley – Californian wineries make the most of their ideal climate and rich variety of terrains in order to produce a fascinating range of wines made with a long list of different fine grape varietals. Today, the state has almost half a million acres under vine, and is one of the world's largest wine exporters, with Californian wines being drunk and enjoyed all across the globe.
Country: United States
Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.