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Tuesday, December 05, 2006

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Wine Tasting in Carneros

The Carneros AVA has become one of the premier regions of the

Napa Valley for wine tasting. Carneros is the closest wine

region to San Francisco, making it the first stop for many wine

tours through the Napa Valley.





Because of its proximity to the San Pablo bay, the day time

temperature is moderated by wind and fog from this body of

water. This makes for excellent conditions for growing Pinot

Noir and Chardonnay. Subsequently, some of the best American

sparkling wine producers are located in the AVA.





You do not have to be a wine expert to enjoy tasting in

Carneros. But since Carneros was awarded AVA status in 1980, the

number of resident wineries in has greatly increased. So with

limited time and budget, which ones do you visit?





No matter how prestigious the area is, no wine is guaranteed to

be good. There are so many factors that go into viticulture and

winemaking, choosing a wine based solely on the region is

basically a shot in the dark. The same can be said for deciding

which wineries to visit on a wine tour.





When planning a wine tasting tour, consider wineries that

produce the varietals you enjoy or would like to experience. For

example, if you want to taste Champagne style Sparkling Wines,

Domaine Carneros should be at the top of your list. This winery

is owned Taittinger Champagne House. Their stunning Chateau has

become a Carneros Landmark, and is among the most beautiful

wineries in Napa County. Domaine also offers a thirty minute

tour of their facilities, which culminates in their tasting room

with spectacular views of their vineyards.





For Pinot Noir aficionados, you cannot go wrong with Acacia

Winery. If you choose to visit Acacia, I would advise tasting

the 2002 Beckstoffer Pinot Noir; you will not be disappointed.





If you would like to taste a wider range of varietals, visit

Artesa Winery. They have produced several wines made with

several different grapes that have received 90 + points from

major wine ratings. This, along with their winery's recent 10

million dollar renovation has made Artesa a premier destination

in Carneros.





Cline Cellars is also a pleasure to visit. Their tasting room is

a restored 1850's farmhouse, and they have a picnic site on the

premises that overlooks their 350 acre vineyard. This makes

Cline Cellars a great place to taste wine and enjoy your lunch.





Aside from the wine itself, other pleasing aspects of tasting

experience lie in the beauty of the tasting room, winery and

surrounding landscape. Although it does not take a beautiful

setting to enjoy a great wine, it definitely adds to the

experience.





The taster's overall experience is by far the most important

part of wine tasting. Most wineries in Carneros realize this,

and offer whatever they can to make your trip more enjoyable.

Many tastings will be hosted by a member of the winemaking team,

so they can answer questions and explain the subtleties of the

wines. Whichever wineries you visit, make sure to bring your

tasting room etiquette.





First of all, it is not advisable to bring children into the

tasting room. As far as the actual tasting is concerned, white

wines are generally poured first, followed by reds, and finally

desert wines. Within each of these, the lighter bodied wines

precede fuller bodied ones. Between each wine, it is common

practice to eat a cracker to cleanse your palate.





It is not necessary to finish each wine you taste; it is

actually discouraged, especially if you are planning to taste

many different wines. Wineries will provide jars to dispose of

any excess wine. Additionally, do not feel obligated to try

every wine that is offered.





If you ask for a second tasting, it is in good taste to buy a

bottle of wine. It is by no means necessary to buy wine when

tasting, but if you make an appointment with a smaller winery,

it is customary to make a purchase.





If you are thinking about visiting the Napa Valley, Carneros is

an excellent place to start your journey into what many people

describe as "heaven on earth."





About the author:



Benjamin Bicais lives in the Napa Valley and has written several

articles about
href="http://www.california-wine-tours-and-accessories.com/napa-v

alley-wine-tours.html">Napa Valley Wine Tours in Carneros.

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