Great Wines of California

International Renown : The international reputation of its wines exploded following the famous "Judgment of Paris" in 1976, where Californian wines (a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon) beat great French wines in a blind tasting.

Famous Regions: Napa Valley (known especially for its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon) and Sonoma Valley are world-renowned wine regions. Other regions like the Central Coast (Paso Robles, Santa Barbara) are also highly regarded.

Dominant Grape Varieties: The most important grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (especially in Napa), Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Merlot. Zinfandel is often considered the emblematic grape of the Californian style.