California vs. Spain Taste Off!

California vs. Spain!
Saturday October 20th, 2012
11am - 8pm



Representing California:
2008 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet
2009 Jeff Runquist Petite Sirah
2008 Rockus Bockus Red Blend
2005 Analog Red Wine

Representing Spain:
2010 Mustiguillo Finca Terrerazo
2009 Closa Batllet "Artai" Priorat
2009 Casa Castillo Monastrell
2010 Clos Erasmus "Laurel"

One of my iterations is running a wine competition called the Jefferson Cup Invitational. It features American wines from around the country, wines made from vinifera vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, as well as wines made from hybrids such as Seyval Blanc and Chambourcin.

These wines come from around the country: California, Washington, and Oregon, of course, but also  New York, Michigan, Arizona, Missouri, Texas, Virginia and, North Carolina, for instance. Among the six hundred seventy five wines that comprised this year’s competition, only thirteen wines were chosen for the top award: the Jefferson Cup.

In years past, the Jefferson Cup winners have been more or less equally divided between wines from California and the other states. But lately California has accounted for a large percentage of award winners, and of that percentage many are red wines.

My experience with the Jefferson Cup (and other similar tastings) indicates that the other states offer competitive white wines and sparkling wines, and those wines on any given day can outscore and outnumber California’s best. Moreover, I would argue that America’s best dessert wines are more likely to come from hybrid vines grown far from the Left Coast than from vinifera vines growing in California, Washington or Oregon.

But America’s best red wines, at least in terms of volume, come from California. I’d argue that Oregon easily outstrips California in its percentage of excellent Pinot Noir, but there’s a lot more California Pinot Noir than Oregon Pinot Noir. Washington State makes America’s best Merlots, probably its best Syrahs, and some intriguing Cabernets.

But the Napa Valley produces the same volume as the entire state of Washington, and Napa Valley isn’t the most important wine producing region of California, not by a long shot. California’s Central Valley, as well as myriad regions from Mendocino to Santa Cruz to San Diego, produces far more wine.

The state not only makes a greater amount of wine, it can easily be argued that California makes more excellent wine. The red wines, and particularly the Cabernets there, have traditionally ranked among the best in the world. And based upon the state’s historical head start on quality Cab production, there’s far more great Cab in California than any place else.

Despite being a fan of Washington State, and of wines from so many other spots around the U.S., I have to admit that there is something about many of California’s new and traditional wine regions that guarantee California’s excellence with Cabernet. Even twenty years from now, when those other states may have had plenty of opportunities to show their stuff, California very likely may still show primacy with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Happy Tasting and we'll see you Saturday!!

Cheers,

Doug Frost MS MW
Master Sommelier & Master of Wine