Wine on the Radio - August 21, 2003

Napa Valley

What's the most famous American wine region?  The answer of course is Napa Valley.

Napa Valley put American wines on the map - pretty impressive for a valley that's only about 35 miles long.  Those 35 miles are jam packed with vines that thrive under virtually ideal growing conditions.  

Napa has it all . . . a unique mixture of exposures, soils and microclimates.   As a result most Napa wines are heartily fruitful and concentrated.   While most of the major grape varieties are grown there, the big three are cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay.

Major sub regions like Howell Mountain , Mount Veeder, Oakville, Rutherford and Stag's Leap bring their own nuance to these wines.  

Whether it's the valley floor or the mountain slopes, Napa Valley wines are what much of the world sees as our distinctly American style.

Pop the cork™.

      Listen to the show