California Wine For Dummies

by McCarthy, Ed; Ewing-Mulligan, Mary

• ISBN13: 9780470376072
• ISBN10: 0470376074
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-04-20
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Discover the nuances of California wines and increase your drinking pleasureWant to be a California wine connoisseur? This friendly guide gives you the knowledge you need to appreciate these fine wines, showing you how to taste them, select a good bottle, pair wine with food, and much more. You'll see why certain wine regions are renowned and how to further enrich your wine-drinking experience.California wine 101 - understand the range of California wines, what makes them unique, and what a varietal wine isReview the regions - explore the major wine regions of California and what makes each one special, from the soil to the climateOpen the bottle - become fluent in the Big Six: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and ZinfandelGo beyond the basics - appreciate Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Syrah, sparkling wines, and moreRound out your wine experience - pair and share wines, learn about the proper glassware and serving temperatures, and prepare for a winery visitOpen the book and find:An overview of California wine todayWine recommendations for all budgetsExplanations of wine label languageA map of wine regionsTips for aging and collecting California winesWinery tasting etiquetteThe ins and outs of recent vintagesTop wine country travel destinations

Author Biography

Ed McCarthy, CWE, is a wine columnist for WineReviewOnline.com and for Beverage Media. Mary Ewing-Mulligan, MW, is President of the International Wine Center in New York. Together, they are the authors of many For Dummies wine guides, including the perennial bestseller Wine For Dummies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Big Picture of California Wine

Introducing California Wines

Whats in the Bottle

Decoding the Label

Californias Major Wine Regions

The Headliners

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Their Blends

Pinot Noir

Zinfandel

More Reds, Whites, Pinks, and Bubblies

Pinot Grigio, Rhône-Style Whites, and Other California Whites

Syrah, Petite Sirah, Other

Varietal Reds, and Red Blends

Bubbly, Rosé, and Dessert Wines

Enjoying California Wines

Pairing and Sharing California Wines

Making a Winery Pilgrimage

The Part of Tens

Answers to Ten Common Questions about California Wine

Ten Top Travel Destinations and Attractions

Index

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