California is home to upwards of 1,100 independent wineries and it’s important to note that if the Golden State were a sovereign country, it would essentially be the fourth-largest producer of wine in the entire world.
However, if you’re trying to ascertain the best California wine for your particular palate, it’s in your best interests to take a closer look at the ins and outs of contemporary wines before making a decision.
Dry Versus Sweet
On your quest to find the best California wine, you should take a moment to identify the primary disparities between dry and sweet variants:
- Dry: A dry wine is essentially a blend that has been fermented long enough to convert all (or most) of the residual grape sugars into alcohol. The result is a stronger, full-bodied vino that doesn’t hold any sugary or overly saccharine aftertastes.
- Sweet: Sweet wines contain a noticeable amount of residual sugar, although they can also be classified as semi-dry or off-dry, depending on the fermentation method and type of barrels used during the aging process.
If you’re unable to distinguish dry from sweet, you might want to order a bottle of each kind to enhance your palate and gain a better understanding of the salient differences.
Top-Rated Sweet Wines
Some of the best California wine selections are categorized as sweet so be sure to pay attention to the following varieties during your shopping efforts:
- Sauternes
- Late-harvest Riesling
- Vouvray
- White Zinfandel
- Muscato
- Asti Spumante
- Rosé
- Pinot Noir
These distinctive blends will provide a sufficient amount of sweetness without being syrupy or thick so feel free to pour a small glass to enjoy with a dessert.
Most Sought-After Dry Options
However, it’s worth noting that many of the best California wine makers focus exclusively on creating fantastic dry blends, some of which are highlighted below:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Merlot
- Cabernet
- White Bordeaux
- Pinot Blanc
- Viognier
These particular wines have less than 4 g/L of residual sugar, which makes them a bit stronger and full-bodied when compared side by side with sweet blends.
If you’d like to get started on your wine-tasting experience in a cost-effective fashion, don’t hesitate to visit the Towne Cellars Wines & Liquors website to browse their extensive selection and place your first order.
