The absence of social engagements during the Covid-19 era has taken a definite toll on wine tastings, which are inarguably an inseparable part of the wine trade. Thankfully, with the situation improving in India, the first shoots of recovery are already emerging and a tasting of California wines organised at the US Embassy in New Delhi was one such recent engagement. The event was organised by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through Tulleeho – a Beverages consultancy based in New Delhi.
California, as many would know is the most prominent wine region of the USA. The region produces a majority of the American wines and hence well justifies its stature. The major sub-regions of California wines are North Coast, Central Coast, Inland/ Central Valleys, and the South Coast. Within each of these sub-regions, are sub-sub regions like Napa, Sonoma and Carneros, which further contain the American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) that are the important building blocks of the American viticultural system.
California Wines at a Glance
- America’s top wine producer making 81% of all U.S. wine.
- World’s 4th leading wine producer.
- 4,200 bonded wineries
- Mainly family-owned businesses, many multi-generational.
- 242 million cases sales volume totalling $43.6 billion retail value.
- 60% share of U.S. market by volume.
- Three of every five bottles sold in the U.S. is a California wine.
- $1.36 billion in export revenue
- 95% of U.S. wine exports to 142 countries are from California .
- 5,900 wine-grape growers.
- 635,000 acres/256,975 hectares of winegrapes.
- More than 110 wine-grape varieties.
(Source: discovercaliforniawines.com)
Thirty five California Wines from different regions
At the New Delhi tasting set at the Roosevelt Hall of the American Embassy in a walk-around fashion, we sampled around 35 wines coming from various sub-regions of California. The event afforded us a rare opportunity to look beyond the ubiquitous Napa Valley and get a feel of some equally worthy wines from other regions of California. The prices of the wines were from 5 USD to 100 USD, hence representing a good range across various affordabilities. Given the limited time at hand, it was difficult to take down notes for all the wines, hence I am detailing some of my favourites in this space. However, I have listed the remaining wineries with their website links and additional photos towards the end of this post. Do take time to browse through them.
California Sparkling Wine
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2018
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay (country composition- 69% Napa, 30% Sonoma, 1% Marin)
Appellation: North Coast
Alcohol: 12.3%
CIF Price: 41 USD
The wine was represented by Wilson Daniels, which is a fully integrated, family-owned marketing and sales company founded in 1978.
Blanc de Blancs was Schramsberg Vineyards‘ first wine produced in 1965 and was America’s first commercially produced Chardonnay-based Brut sparkling wine. The wine gained international recognition in 1972 when then-President Nixon served the wine at the historic “Toast to Peace” in Beijing, China.
Tasting Notes
A pale lemon coloured wine with a green tint. It had citrus and tree fruit aromas followed by a dry palate and a buoyant acidity. This Méthode Traditionelle wine had flavours of green apple and pear supplemented by an unmistakable toastiness.
The other Sparkling wine at the tasting from the same producer (see pic above) was Mirabelle Brut Rosé– a cuvée of 54% Pinot Noir and 46% Chardonnay.
California White Wine
Carmel Road Chardonnay 2019
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Monterey County AVA (Central Coast)
Alcohol: 13.5%
CIF Price: 7 USD
Carmel Road produces three varietal wines viz. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a limited quantity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Their vineyards are certified sustainable by both SIP (Sustainability in Practice) and CCSW (Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing).
Tasting Notes
A pale straw coloured wine with enticing citrus and stone fruit aromas. On the palate, it was delightful and struck an instant rapport with its rich and rounded flavours supported by well-balanced acidity. My neighbouring tasters liked this wine as well as I did.
California Red Wines
Carmel Road Pinot Noir 2019
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Monterey County AVA (Central Coast)
Alcohol: 13.5%
CIF Price: 7 USD
The producer claims that their Pinot Noir case sales increased over 99% over the same time when the total Pinot category sales in the USA decreased by 9%. The wine didn’t disappoint either, especially after the high expectations set for it by their Chardonnay tasted earlier.
Tasting Notes
The claret coloured wine had appetising aromas of red berries and confectionery. It had a medium-bodied juicy palate with an appreciable structure and abundant flavours of red berries. At the stated price point, the wine offers a very good value for money.
Lange Twins Miller Cabernet Franc 2017
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Clarksburg AVA, Lodi (Inland Valleys)
Alcohol: 14.5%
CIF Price: 32 USD
Lange Twins is a family-owned estate located in the Clarksburg AVA. The grapes for this wine come from 10.95 acres of Clone 13 and 11 Cabernet Franc vineyards that have thick skins to combat the fierce Delta winds typical of the region. According to the producer, the varietal was grafted from Sauvignon Blanc in 2010 and was difficult to grow but has paid off the efforts by consistently producing good wines.
Tasting Notes
The deep ruby red wine opened with leafy and dark cherry aromas. It was full-bodied and powerful on the palate with dense dark berry, coffee and spice notes. I would rate it as an out-and-out gourmet wine with a potential for ageing up to 10 years or so.
Daou Vineyards Pessimist 2019
Grapes: 73% Petite Sirah, 14% Zinfandel, 12% Syrah, 1% Grenache
Appellation: Paso Robles (Central Coast)
Alcohol: 15.2%
CIF Price: 14 USD
While the name of the wine itself may be quite unusual, the logic behind it seems intact with its tagline “A Pessimist is never disappointed”. I would interpret it as approaching the wine with little expectation, only to be delighted later on. Whatever the interpretation, Daou Vineyards Pessimist turned out to be another delight for me at the tasting. At 15.2% ABV it somewhat pushed the envelope but was well integrated to carry the alcohol through.
Tasting notes
A deep ruby wine with a fading rim and complex aromas of blackberries, black cherries mushroom and vanilla. The palate was dense with an ample body, powerful structure and layers of complexity. The finish was satiating and smooth. For the power it packed, Pessimist would offer an excellent value for money.
Present on the occasion from the US Embassy in New Delhi were Patricia A Lacina Chargée d’Affaires, Ron Verdonk, Minister-Counselor for Agricultural Affairs, Mariano J Beillard, Senior Agricultural Attaché and Mark A Rosmann, Attaché for Agricultural Affairs among others.
On enquiring about their future plans on American wines, Mark A Rosmann, Agricultural Attaché U.S. Embassy New Delhi informed:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture at U.S. Embassy New Delhi will continue to promote and feature premium, new-to-market American wines for an Indian audience, and we hope that these products will soon be found among every Indian wine lover’s collection. In this event, we featured California’s high-quality wines, which make up more than 80 per cent of wine production in the United States and 95 per cent of U.S. wine exports around the world. A good number of top tier California wines are available for sale right here in India.
It is undoubtedly a “Vin-Vin” proposition for wine lovers in India and producers in America.
More Links and Photos
Wineries
St Supéry, Napa (North Coast)
Oak Ridge Winery, Lodi (Inland Valleys)
Ballard Lane (Central Coast)
Hahn Family Wines, Monterey (Central Coast)
Jordan Vineyard and Winery, Sonoma (North Coast)
Ménage à Trois, Napa (North Coast)
Photos
Ron Verdonk, Minister-Counselor for Agricultural Affairs addressing the audience in New Delhi 
