California wine style trends...

[jqmunro]

The recent article on Kistler and their change in style and the collapse of the Aussie wine market in the US makes one wonder if the taste for over the top ripe wines in the US is starting to change in favor of old world style wine. I can understand why Yellow Tail continues to sell in light of it's low price, but I'm thinking of wines in the non bargain basement range. I've personally noticed more and more chardonnay from Cali inching closer to a Chablis like style - for example Diatom Huber.

Any thoughts on a possible change in the taste preferences of the average American wine consumer?

[Rafael Sanchez]

Can't speak for everyone, but I for one think that the new generation of young kids (i'm 28, I count right?) that are drinking, buying, making wine are building on the foundation set by the previous generation. This means getting INTO wine younger and younger.
Prohibition, I think, really slowed down the wine culture in this country. A whole generation went by without a sound wine drinking culture and was forced to play catch-up. I think we are finally catching up a bit...

And of course as time goes on (winemakers getting older) peoples palates change... Hopefully this is a trend that stays.

BUT.. I do like me some heavy Paso Syrahs from time to time!

[FrancisF]

To Rafael Sanchez my biggest applauses, direct to the point

L'Aventure Estate Cuvee from time to time Heavy stuff

[jqmunro]

I do like a heavy wine myself, but it's an occasional thing. These wines tend to be a chore to drink for myself. I usually limit myself to one or two bottles per month of a heavy highly extracted wine, otherwise it can get tiresome. It explains why I drink much more champagne(and German riesling) than anything else!

[calgarydetail]

This means getting INTO wine younger and younger.
!

I think this is very true, im 23 and started getting into wine at 18. I a not an oddity in todays day and age. I have lots of friends who are wine drinkers and wine lovers, also, I have noticed more young people at wine tasting events. I have hope that my generation and our wine drinking habits

[Rafael Sanchez]

I like what i've been seeing too!!

I have a tasting group and I am the oldest, there is this kid who's 23 and he is by far the most knowledgeable when it comes to book smarts. I got him covered in blind tastings though...

It's also interesting to see that in general, there is a transition from beer to wine, then to spirits, then back to whatever a person connects more with. And it seems as though everyone is making beer at home these days.

[Rhonemaker]

California has little wine history in comparison to the rest of the world. When California wines first became recognized as quality wines we knew our advantage was the sun, we knew there was that ripe quality that you couldn't find every vintage over seas. This is an exciting time in our industry because a lot of producers are taking a step back to find the signature of the land in their wines. The wines are still fresh with fruit, but perhaps a bit restrained, in this capacity they don't hide where they are from with blinding alcohol and copious amounts of overripe fruit. This is quite exciting indeed. California is slowly building its history, sifting though its soils to find the best plots of land. Cheers!

[Rafael Sanchez]

California has little wine history in comparison to the rest of the world. When California wines first became recognized as quality wines we knew our advantage was the sun, we knew there was that ripe quality that you couldn't find every vintage over seas. This is an exciting time in our industry because a lot of producers are taking a step back to find the signature of the land in their wines. The wines are still fresh with fruit, but perhaps a bit restrained, in this capacity they don't hide where they are from with blinding alcohol and copious amounts of overripe fruit. This is quite exciting indeed. California is slowly building its history, sifting though its soils to find the best plots of land. Cheers!

Very true. But some wineries have been making some legit juice for quite some time now, I wonder if they just got lucky? Perhaps they had some old world experiences that influenced their decisions? (I am a little blurry on my CA wine history)

Regardless, this is indeed an exciting time in California wine history. Can't wait to see where we end up... Cheers indeed!