September 6, 2020 -- we are the future!

​It is hot today, with temperatures in the wine-growing areas of Southern California up around 110 F.  So, no winery visits for me.  Fortunately, the Los Angeles Times has given me material to write about, specifically an excellent front page article by Steve Lopez on the effect of global warming on the California wine industry.
The jist of the article is that Cabernet Sauvignon grapes do not like high heat.  The grapes ripen too soon, so the rich character of the wine they produce is lost.  Hence, vintners are looking at other wine species that can handle high heat, specifically varieties grown in Southern Europe, and, as it turns out, Southern California.  So, it seems that this wonderful website is more or less a look into the future of California wine.
I know what you’re thinking (not really):  if Napa is having problems with heat than so should Bordeaux.  Well, turns out that Bordeaux is having much of the same problems.  Up until recently only six varieties of grapes were allowed to be grown in Bordeaux.  The effect of high heat, especially on the Merlot crops, has forced growers to look at other varieties, so now another seven varieties are allowed.
So, what to do, what to do?  Well, it turns out that I have a list of wine varietals that you can find in wineries I’ve reviewed and which wineries offer them.  All you need to do is go down the list, select the wines that you’d like to try, and then go to the wineries and taste the wines.  Not now, of course – way too hot.  Picture below is of four of my favorites – well, four of my favorites that I had bottles available for the picture.  You’ll have to read my reviews to find the rest.