TEMECULA VALLEY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY
Why is the AVA or APPELLATION the secret to knowing a wine's character?
When you buy a bottle of wine, the vineyard's location is the biggest single factor that influences its character and is one of the key things to check on the label. The appellation, district or AVA usually appears just above the varietal designation and gives you that vital piece of information.
You’ll hear the terms appellation, district and AVA used interchangeably, for instance you might say that the Chardonnay is a Carneros District or the Cabernet comes from the Yountville AVA. In common use the terms appellation, district and AVA all mean the same thing.
Just for the sake of accuracy, you should know that in America the term appellation is the broadest term used to refer to where the grapes were grown. The appellation only identifies the location—it doesn’t have any requirements to distinguish the area one way or the other. The word appellation means “name” in French and the French Appellation d’Origine Controlee laws inspired our own appellation and AVA regulations.
The term AVA is short for American Viticultural Area and can only be used by a region that has been recognized by the federal government for a distinctive combination of soil, climate and topography which in turn contribute to identifiable regional wine character. It’s been said that AVAs are to appellations as grapes are to fruit. All AVAs are appellations, but not all appellations are AVAs.
For instance, California is an appellation. Temecula Valley is an AVA within the California appellation. Is Temecula an AVA? Yes. The ATF established the "Temecula" viticultural area in the Federal Register on October 23, 1984. The TTB renamed the same viticultural area "Temecula Valley" effective June 18, 2004. The Federal Register lists the official acreage for the Temecula Valley AVA at 33,000 acres. Approximately 1,300 acres are currently planted in commercial vineyards.
Within the appellation there are 5,000 acres located in a "protected" area referred to as the Citrus/Vineyard Zone. This area is generally located in and around the Rancho California Road area within the County of Riverside. County guidelines strictly enforce number of acres needed to build a winery, lodging and other limited housing and commercial ventures.
What are the most recognized grapes grown in Temecula?
This list is based upon the varietal content of the wines labeled with the Temecula Valley designation, as reported by the wineries.
1. Cabernet Franc
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
3. Chardonnay
4. Chenin Blanc
6. Cinsault
7. Dolcetto
8. Gewurztraminer
9. Grenache
10. Lemberger
11. Malbec
12. Malvasia
13. Merlot,Mourvedre
14. Muscat Canelli
15. Nebbiolo
16. Orange Muscat
17. Palomino
18. Petit Verdot
19. Petite Sirah
20. Pinot Gris/Grigio
21. Pinot Noir
22. Riesling
23. Roussanne
24. Sangiovese
25. Sauvignon Blanc
26. Semillon
27. Syrah/Shiraz
28. Vermentino
29. Viogner
30. Zinfandel
Why should you get all of your wine from Temecula House of Wine?
We're a real storefront in Old Town Temecula and we stock all the wines available from Temecula's Wineries. We are located in the historic Palomar Hotel.
We will ship to any state where it is legal for us to do so. We make this commitment to you: we will give you genuine Temecula wines from the only licensed wine store in Old Town Temecula.
Can I mix and match wines ?
Mix and match? No problem. Pick and choose the wines that you want and make your own dream case of wine. So order your wine now and enjoy!
