California wine - Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Merlot

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California is the world's fourth largest wine-producing region, topped only by Italy, France and Spain.

There are about ten major wine-producing areas in California, all varying in soil type and climate to produce a great variety of wine. The region produces all sorts from the most exclusive, cult wines, to affordable and drinkable wines.

Wine has been grown in California since 1769 when missionaries from Mexico moved to the San Diego area. Father Serra planted the first vines for sacramental purposes later that decade and the California wine industry was established.

The Gold Rush of 1848 really kick started the California wine trade. When the gold reserves ran out the miners, especially the Europeans who had come over to find their fortune, tried their luck growing grapes. The number of wineries grew steadily until the Prohibition in 1919 when many wine growers had to close down. It took from the end of the Prohibition in 1933 until the 1950s for wine growing to pick up again, and it really took off in the 1970s when California was hailed as one of the world's great wine regions.

The top three grape varieties used in California wine are Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Merlot.

Cabernet Sauvignon is responsible for California's cult wines and many top brands use Cab Sauv grapes. For example, Opus One, the joint venture of the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi that began in 1979, is predominantly made of Cabernet Sauvignon. Such high profile wines are not cheap, however, and you won't get hold of a bottle of Opus One for less than $250 (£145).

California's native grape is Zinfandel, which was first planted in 1850, and produces very drinkable reds, whites and rosés.

Merlot, the most widely-planted grape in Bordeaux, has become extremely popular in California over the last 30 years - the number of producers increasing from four in 1972 to 250 today.

Californian wine labels are much more straightforward than some of their European counterparts. Beginning at the top you have:

Brand - name of producer or brand name (eg, Opus One)
Variety - if one grape makes up 75% or more of the wine
Origin - area of production (eg, Napa Valley)
Vineyard - (eg, Oakville)
Vintage
Alcohol content - usually from 12 - 14% in California
Producer's details - name and address

It is therefore very easy to get to know Californian wines, which ones you like and where they are from. All that remains to do is to taste some!

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