Napa Valley wines come in all sorts

Napa Valley wines are the best

It seems there’s hardly a state in the nation that doesn’t have its own vineyards and wineries these days. While it’s true that the grape will grow in all sorts of places, some places still produce better wine grapes than others, and it’s hard to beat Napa Valley wines in terms of quality. Not even the infamous California drought has been able to harm them.

Discerning tasters can detect the differences in terroir. The grapes grown on the valley floor are brighter and more ripe, with a heavier feel. Mountain grapes have more acidity and tannins. In addition, the soil on the mountain slopes tends to be less fertile. The stress this places on the vines also favors quality over quantity.

Superb Napa Valley wines from a St. Helena winery

Some of the best California wines come from Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa Valley. Just a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Helena, Anderson’s produces world-class wines at affordable prices. The vineyard is just south of Howell Mountain. The microclimate of Conn Valley is cooler than many other parts of the valley, although warmer than Howell Mountain itself, so the grapes they grow are closer to mountain grapes. At the vineyard, you have the chance to meet the owners and wine-makers and taste excellent wine stored in a cave.

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards has been owned and operated by the Anderson family since 1983. Anderson’s wines are sold online and in five locations in Napa Valley. Order a bottle today.

Visiting the best vineyards of Napa

Vineyards of Napa Valley

A vineyard is like no other kind of farm. Wine may have begun as something people drink to quench their thirst or get drunk, but it has long since become an art form intended to bring each variety of wine to its own perfection. Deciding which are the best vineyards in Napa mostly depends on what sort of wine you’re thinking of.

There are about 400 wineries in Napa Valley. The best vineyards in Napa have tasting rooms where both the newer and older wines can be tried for a reasonable fee. The best time to visit is fall or spring, so as to avoid the crowds. (Yes, the vineyards can get crowded with tourists. They’re that popular.) In the fall, you get to see the harvest — the downside of this is that you might be in the way.

One of the best vineyards in Napa near St. Helena

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa Valley, a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Helena, is one of the best vineyards in the Napa Valley area, best known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. Their Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and non-malolactic Chardonnay also have a cult following. It holds tastings in its barrel caves, where current releases and library wines may be sampled and visitors can learn all about the process of making and storing the wine. Cave tastings are $65, but one tasting fee can be waived by joining their wine club or making a $100 purchase. Order a bottle today.

So you’ve been invited to a wine tasting

Heading to a wine tasting

If this is your first time at a wine tasting, don’t worry. They’re genteel, low-key affairs. Dress well, but not to the point of discomfort. Don’t wear anything with a strong smell. A big part of the pleasure of wine tasting is appreciating the scent of the wine. Speaking of which, be sure to get a good, long inhale of the wine’s aroma (or nose) before you take your first sip. Place the wine glass on a flat surface and swirl it just a little. This is aeration.

There may be a spittoon available. Using it might seem gross and wasteful, but it keeps you from taking too much alcohol on board over the course of the tasting. This is important if you happen to have a low body mass or low tolerance for alcohol. As further precautions, drink water (which will also clear your palate) and eat something.

A wine club worth joining near St. Helena

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa Valley, a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Helena, holds tastings in its barrel caves, where current releases and library wines may be sampled and visitors can learn all about the process of making and storing the wine. Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards produces world-class wines at affordable prices. The vineyard is a 40-acre estate just south of Howell Mountain, and has been owned and operated by the Anderson family since 1983. Anderson’s wines are sold online and in five locations in Napa Valley, and many other locations nationwide.

Wine clubs offer a lot for wine lovers

California wine clubs

Wine clubs have become an established part of the traditions of California wine. Think of them like a book-of-the-month club, but with wines instead of books. You buy a certain number of bottles a year, and they are delivered to your door. You get discounts and benefits, there shouldn’t be any cost to join, and you can cancel at any time.

Wine clubs pride themselves on their ability to find quality lesser-known wines and bring them to members. They cater to everyone from the expert to the novice. Some wine clubs include the Plonk Wine Club, the Gold Medal Wine Club, the International Wine of the Month Club, Lot 18’s Tasting Room, the Original Wine of the Month Club, Club W and Uncorked Ventures. Each of these has slightly different rules, methods and traditions.

Many wine clubs offer more than one series — wines grouped by theme and category. You might be able to choose to get wines from the Pacific Northwest, aged Cabernets or the most highly rated wines in California. At tours and tastings, you can meet the winemakers and socialize with other wine lovers.

A wine club worth joining near St. Helena

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa Valley, a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Helena, has its own wine club. By agreeing to buy six bottles a year in groups of three, you can get Level I membership with discounts on their wines, tickets to parties and invitations to a complimentary tasting. Anderson’s wines are sold online and in five locations in Napa Valley, and many other locations nationwide. Join today.

Cabernet Sauvignon never goes out of style

Cabernet Sauvignon beloved around the world

TV chef David Rosengarten has rightly described California’s Cabernet Sauvignon as an iconic wine. The “Cab” is a classic red wine with blackcurrant notes and famous tannins that let it work especially well with lamb or the richer cuts of beef. To get the true flavor of the wine, it should be served at 57 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Try it with something rich and buttery to appreciate the fruitiness.

Cabernet Sauvignon was born from the Cabernet franc and Sauvignon blanc varieties. The hardiness of the vines and the versatility and consistency of the wine have made it one of the world’s most popular wines, perfect for a wedding or anniversary celebration, an upscale cookout or any occasion when roast beef or lamb is being served, although you may want to dial back the seasonings so as to better appreciate the wine.

A high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon near St. Helena, CA

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa Valley produces world-class wines at affordable prices, including a celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon with distinct licorice notes. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate praises the 2012 vintage for its “terrific purity, plenty of depth and ripeness, and a full-bodied mouthfeel” and describes the 2010 Cab as “an elegant, finesse-styled effort to enjoy over the next decade.” Anderson’s wines are sold online and in five locations in Napa Valley. Wine club members save $25 buying the 2013 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon online. If you’re looking for an occasion wine, order a bottle today.

Napa the perfect place to grow grapes

A quick guide to Napa wineries

The Napa Valley in California has historically been associated with some of the finest wines in America. The first grapes in the valley were Mission grapes, planted by missionaries to grow wine for Communion. The first American settler in the area, George Calvert Yount, planted grapes there in 1831. The worst disaster ever to hit Napa wineries was, of course, Prohibition. The vineyards that survived did so by an ingenious marketing ploy. They sold bricks of grape juice concentrate, intended to be added to a gallon of water. These bricks would include strict instructions not under any circumstances to leave the jug of juice sitting in a cool cupboard for 21 days, or it would turn to wine. Consumers were grateful for this advisory.

Which are the best wineries in Napa depends on what you’re looking for. There are many kinds of terrain and soil in the valley, along with little microclimates with different average temperatures and levels of sun, rain and fog. Thus, the Napa Valley American Viticultural Area contains 16 smaller areas producing different kinds of wine.

One of the best Napa wineries around

Some of the best California wines come from Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards near St. Helena, CA, owned and operated by the Anderson family since 1983. Anderson’s wines are sold online and in five locations in Napa Valley, and many other locations nationwide. By ordering six bottles or more per year, you can join their wine club, giving you discounts on many of their finest wines.