On CTV News, Leanne and I chat about how Californian wines are among the popular at the liquor store. In this segment, we focus on Sonoma.
We’re back. Let’s take a look at that map again to see Sonoma.
Tell us about Sonoma
- Birthplace of Californian wine, planted in the 1800s by Spanish missionaries
- Flagship is Chardonnay
- Judgment of Paris in 1976 – Chardonnay mostly from Sonoma like this Chard I have
Ghost Pines Winemakers Blend Chardonnay 2017
What other wines is Sonoma famous for?
- 60 varieties of grapes: Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah
Handley Cellars RSM Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
Handley Cellars Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2017
Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Ghost Pines Winemakers Blend Merlot 2017
What’s the climate like?
- Mediterranean climate, with dry summers, wet winters
- Defining feature is the coastline – 60 miles/100 kilometres of coastline
- Marine fog keeps grapes cool in the morning, burns off
- Mountains separate coast from Valley – act like an oven, hot air rises, pulls in cool air from the ocean underneath – warm days, cool nights
- More soil types (31) exist in Sonoma than in all of France
