Buying Of Napa Valley Red Wines

By Mattie MacDonald


The Napa Valley is only 30 miles long and a few miles wide and yet it has become known as a premier wine region. It is particularly well known for the Cabernet Sauvignon varieties it produces with their full-bodied, fruity flavors. These Napa Valley red wines are available for purchase from a number of online stores.

There are about 450 wineries found in the region today and many of them are family-owned. Some of them have a history going back to the nineteenth century and they are still going strong today. The industry suffered a number of setbacks over the years. The introduction of new techniques and procedures in 1938 such as the aging of wine in oak barrels, introduced a new era. However, it was probably only during the 1960s that quality wine started being produced.

This valley has the right climate, geography and geology for viticulture. Diverse micro-climates exist due to the geological diversity. The soil is enriched by deposits from San Pablo Bay and volcanic lava and ash. The growing season consistently long with warm days and cool nights.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the star red wine and the most widely planted, accounting for about 40 percent of total production. Varieties depend on which vineyards the grapes are grown in and flavors include those of black fruit like cherries, plums and currants. Cabernet loves oak aging and this gives it spice notes. Cabernet is powerful on the palate when young and ages gracefully with aromas and flavors intensifying.

There are a number of other reds also produced, with Merlot second in production. Merlot is produced as a varietal but it is also often used in blends. Pinot Noir is another red produced in the southern part of the valley where temperatures are cooler. Zinfadel is not as widely produced but is still a significant red wine. It prefers the warm, dry conditions on hilly slopes.

Red wine blends are also popular to drink as they often embrace the best of their component varietals. Three of these top red blends are Opus One, Dominus and Rubicon. They use Cabernet as the main component.

The best reds can be very costly, especially those produced by boutique wineries. Some of them have almost cult status amongst collectors. Many factors go into the pricing of wine such as taste, opinions of wine critics and amount of bottles produced for the year. Although the very best ones are probably too expensive for all but the most ardent wine collectors, it is possible to buy good quality wine at reasonable prices. Many well-priced varieties are available from online stores and shopping online makes price comparisons easy.

Vintners in this region benefit from the diverse range of growing conditions. They manage to turn their grapes into internationally acclaimed varieties of wine. The hilly regions produce savory, peppery and smokey varieties whereas the valley regions produce more opulent fruity flavors like blackberry and currant. There is something to suit every taste and budget.




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