The worldwide consumption of wine is growing daily – it has overtaken fizzy alcohol laden drinks and even many of the more alcohol heavy refreshments that are part and parcel of the cocktails that we enjoy on an odd evening – or around a barbecu3e. The question is why? And for American consumers, why are they reaching for a glass of Napa Cabernet wine?
The fact of the matter is that we are now in love with wine. Napa Valley wines are up there with the best – but should we be drinking them? There are other ‘New World’ wines that the pundits say are as good – or better than those produced in California.
So why do we keep drinking them? Even at a price point that sometimes beggars belief?
Firstly we must go back to Mother Earth. The soil of Napa Valley is ideally suited for the growing of grapes that are used in the making of Cabernet wines. It is a tiny part of the world. In fact, Napa – where your Cabernet comes from is only five miles wide and 3o miles long. That is tiny when compared to other Cabernet producing regions arunf=d the world.
So you have side by side wineries, all competing to wear the crown of the ‘best Cabernet in the World’. They are competing with some heavy hitters form the Old School in France and the young guns from places like South Africa and Australia.
But when we look at Napa Cabernet wine is there something that is special? Something that elevates it above the other Cabernets from other regions around the world?
The answer is simply yes. Each wine producing region no matter where it is made is unique. The soil and climate play their part and the love and devotion that goes into the production of each bottled bit of joy is unique. Califonia was one of the places where the ‘Summer of Live’ took place – and its Napa Cabernet wines reflect that intensity of mind that makes its reds so attractive.
There is something special about Napa – and the wine it produces. In fact, the U.S. government recognized this in 1981 when the accolade of ‘AVA’ or ‘American Viticultural Area’ was granted. This was based on the history of the region and the climate that makes its grapes so ideal for the making of Cabernet.
It is not only the Cabernet that makes Napa so famous, and its wine pricey, but also the variatels that make both Cabernet and Burgandy so sought after.
This is a tiny part of the world. But the valley and its soil are both unique. The climate and the intensity of the growers of vines – and the way that they use the fruit of those vines – and the worldwide acceptance of the fruits of their labor is a testament to just how special Napa Cabernet is – try some and compare it to international offerings – you might be pleasantly surprised.
