What's an AVA?

These days you don't visit "wine country" you explore an AVA (American Viticultural Area.)  So what's the big deal with knowing which AVA you happen to be tasting wine in?

It really goes to the heart of the matter, or should I say "terrior", of where the grapes are grown.  This French term is often used to describe the various factors that surround the vineyard in question, such as climate and soil. Over the millenniums  grape growers have learned what grapes do well in what environments.  An AVA usually features certain grapes that meet these guidelines.

All this means that as a consumer you can expect a certain level of excellence in the wines that are produced within the geographical boundaries of the AVA. 

Following this line of reason you can expect a good quality Pinot Noir from the cooler Russian River AVA than from the much warmer Dry Creek Valley AVA.  Bottom line is that if you are a Zinfandel fan you should head for Dry Creek Valley AVA where that grape does great things!

A Drop in the Bathtub....

Oh, how we've grown in the USA!  Was a time when a good dry wine was a hard sell in our country.  Truth is that we had a lot of catching up to do after (cringe!) Prohibition.

Back then we had spent years chocking down the home-made bathtub wines that were allowed under the law.  And you can bet that the sales of sugar went thru the roof.
So when Repeal came along the Nation just thought wine was supposed to be sweet.

Thankfully we are moving away from that notion and have a very good selection of not so sweet wines to choose from.  Yet we are still finding our way forward to discover where we do best here in the USA.  The debate over New World vs. Old World wine styles continues. 

The point is not to get stuck in your ideas about wine.  The fun part is exploring new horizons!

Vive la Difference!

The French would say: "Vive la Difference!"  In the wine world this takes on great significance.  The old saw goes: If everybody liked just one wine, there would be just one winery.

Living here in Sonoma County and the Dry Creek Valley area, the wine scene is definitely different than our neighbors to the East, Napa Valley.

The problem starts when you, the wine tourist, want to bring your preconceptions to the tasting bar.  The thing to remember is that wine relects its environment.  Meaning, in a blind tasting your wine will taste "different" depending on where you are. 

This is one of wine's little mysteries.  And that is why I encourage wine travel to experience wines of other regions.  If you try to force your "local palate" onto new wines, you are bound to be disappointed.   Avoid using the word "better", instead say different.  The bottom line is always: Do you like it!

The Shape I'm In!

First of all, relax.  If you happen to drink a Bordeaux in a Burgundy glass you are not going to die!

Like anything, people obsess over the details.  Too often this keeps the "nouveau buveur" or new drinker a bit nervous.  I say, let's get you hooked on good wine, then we'll talk stemware.  

And good stemware does make a difference.  If you think of wine more as an aroma you drink, than something to wet your whistle, then you can improve that experience with a wine glass designed for the wine you are enjoying.  Mostly the different shapes have to do with presenting the particular aroma of that varietal (grape) to your nose.  

All this is rather scientific, but again, relax...until you're making a living writing wine notes you can get by with three standard wine glasses: Red, White, and a Sparking flute.