Ernest Gallo, the of Ernest and Julio Gallo wine producers, finally uncorked his last bottle recently and went to that great wine cellar heaven in the sky.  He lived to a grand old age of 97, and was certainly a testimony to that old adage, “a little of what you fancy never hurt.”  Many would say Ernest and his brother Julio, who died back in 1993, were the epitomy of American wine, the founders of the American wine industry.  As the gallo website says, “Ernest and Julio were instrumental in introducing U.S. consumers to wine and creating the modern American wine market.” (www.gallo.com) Formed 70 years ago, the gallo brothers spent years developing wine growing techniques, creating effective advertising campaigns for the wines, establishing foreign markets and bringing Sonoma Country, one of California’s premier wine growing regions, in to the forefront of wine production all over the world.  “Ernest and Julio were builders: they built their company from scratch, they helped build an industry and they helped build demand for wine few could have ever imagined when they started out more than 70 years ago,” said Robert Koch, president of the Wine Institute.  In fact the Ernest and Julio story is a fascinating one, with a business built on start-up capital of less than $6,000 and no idea of how to make wine.  Their knowledge was acquired through pre-prohibition pamphlets found at the university library and a determination to learn with the ability to work hard, sometimes 36 hours stretches at a time.  The business has been built on a firm ethos consisting of hard work, respect but most of all a sense of family.  Rest in peace Ernest and may the Gallo wine family carry on the successes you created.

In memory of Ernest Gallo and in celebration of Californian wine, here are some tips you might find useful when next at your local wine seller or supermarket.  Cheers!

Wines produced in California benefit from cool to hot weather, with cool ocean breezes, mists that shield grapes from the morning sun, and for vineyards located in the hills, altitude. 

The most important location for premium wine production is Napa Valley and Sonoma County where you’ll find some fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines (reds), as these costal regions provide ideal conditions for these grape varieties.

For white wine, the Carneros and Napa Valley are best.  Creamy, buttery Chardonnays and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with its distinctive gooseberry and elderflower tones are both well produced in the Napa Valley.

Pinot Noir, another black grape variety not so high in tannins as other reds, is produced in the Carneros and the Sonoma County due to the need for a cooler climate. 

Finally, you may have heard of the black grape variety, Zinfandel.  This is a premium variety in quality wines in California.  It is often used in off-dry fruity roses but is best demonstrated in a dry red wine.  In fact, the most intense, complex wines are made from old vines, some Zinfandel vineyards were planted over 100 years ago.

Don’t forget to look out for the labelling on a bottle of wine.  Make sure the producer is shown on the label along with the year the wine was produced.  As well as the grape variety and which region the wine was produced.  Finally, the alcohol content, so you know how strong or light the wine is.  Unlike its European counterparts, California doesn’t have any special grading for different levels of wine so make sure to look out for the region and if anything, take advice from the shop seller, he should know his stuff!