Today
was the first day that three new Viticultural areas, or wine regions, in Washington (Wahluke Slope), Texas (Texoma) and California, can be
noted on wine labels. NPR has a nice piece
on how this happened in Ramona Valley, near San Diego, Calif. In order to be designated as its own appellation, a
region must prove that it has unique topography and climate; that there is some history of the area being called, in
this case, "Ramona Valley"; and that wine grapes can, and are, being grown there.
Ramona Valley is distinct thanks to its position about 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and about 20 miles from the desert. It cools off quickly during the evening, but the days provide long hours of warmth and good ripening time. Grapes that do well in Ramona Valley, says a winemaker, include Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc.
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