"NapaValley" news and stories

Cabernet Sauvignon is among the most storied, sought-after red wines. In the late '90s UC Davis' Department of Viticulture and Enology concluded that the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is an offspring of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It's grown in almost every wine-producing country. California's Napa Valley is home to cult classics like Screaming Eagle, Harlan and Stags' Leap – if you can afford them, by all means sip 'em.

Here, I suggest seven affordable alternatives – a mix of old-timers and some newer Cabernet producers, sourced from varying climates. My food pairing suggestion is to use these Cabs as an excuse to grill meat – whether it's a beefy burger or prime rib. These wines are bold, muscular wines that can stand up to just about any food, but you wouldn't want it to completely overpower a seafood or fruit-infused dish.

So what's the excuse then? Too busy reading slashfood? Can't possibly miss the next episode of Lost? Got a bone in your leg?

If you have always wondered about the process of winemaking - I mean who hasn't? tiz the stuff of dreams afterall - but just can't make it to a vineyard then head on over to VOA News. Here you will find a download narrated by Elaine Lu who wanders through the 40-hectare Bouchaine Winery in Napa.

It covers all the good stuff - drip navigation (oooo), grape picking (wow!) and even mentions Bix measuring (steady at the back there) and moves on to such wonders as barrel aging and bottling. Go on you know you want to...

Source

As is the case with these things the battle over Two Buck Chuck having Napa on the label has finally been settled. The wines, officially called Charles Shaw made the headlines as being of (generally) reasonable to good quality at just $1.99.

A lawsuit was brought against the producers, Bronco Wine Co., by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control after a request from the Napa Valley Vintners trade group. The wines label ran counter to a 6 year old state law that at least 75% of the grapes used to make wine must be grown in the county named on the label.

Bronco Wine Co. agreed to drop "Napa" from the label of a wine made with grapes grown outside Napa Valley wine region. Two of Bronco's Napa-named wines will contain Napa grapes, the company said.

Source