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California wines

The California is the leading wine-producing region in the United States and ranks fourth in the world in terms of wine production, behind France, Italy, and Spain. Its wine-growing history dates back to the 17th century, when missionaries brought back European vines imported by the Conquistadors to Latin America.

The main reasonCaliforniacan produce wine is the influence of the Pacific Ocean. The sunshine is optimal for ripening grapes, and the cool fog along the coastline regulates high temperatures to provide ideal conditions for producing complex wines.

Six subregions make up California's wine-growing landscape:

- Northernmost California: California's smallest wine-growing region.

- North Coast: one of the coolest growing regions, it is home to more than half of California's wine estates, including the most prestigious ones such as Napa and Sonoma.

- Central Coast: South of San Francisco, the climate is fairly mild. Some of California's oldest vineyards are planted here.

- Sierra Foothills: vineyards planted on former gold rush mines near Nevada produce wines with very intense aromas.

- Inland Valleys: the most fertile agricultural area in the world, it is the cradle of mass production.

- Southern California: between Los Angeles and San Diego, the region is home to California's highest vineyard, at an altitude of 1,300 meters.

These Californian regions boast a wide range of grape varieties. But if there is one grape variety thatCaliforniacan claim as its own, it is Zinfandel, a variety originating in Croatia and known as Primitivo in southern Italy. Zinfandel expresses itself in different ways. At one extreme, it can be a very popular sweet rosé called "White Zinfandel" or a powerful, meaty red with an alcohol content of over 16%. However, the best reds have aromas of raspberry jam and black pepper or wild blackberries and spices. It depends on how and where the vine is grown.

With its diverse topography and climate, some of the world's most creative winemakers, and a wide range of grape varieties,Californiacan claim to be a global benchmark for quality wines.