Signature Styles & Characteristics
Still & Sparkling
Although any grape can be interpreted in innovative and at times, outlying styles, the following chart/graphic represents the preponderance of what you will find California’s winemakers producing.
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Dryness/Residual Sugar
Still: 75 percent on a scale from Dry to Sweet of Dryness/Residual Sugar. Sparkling: 50 percent on the same scale.
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Acid (potential)
Still: 65 percent on a scale from Low to High of Acid (potential). Sparkling: 65 percent on the same scale.
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Alcohol (potential)
Still: 65 percent on a scale from Low to High of Alcohol (potential). Sparkling: 65 percent on the same scale.
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Body (weight on palate)
Still: 85 percent on a scale from Light to Full of Body (weight on palate). Sparkling: 85 percent on the same scale.
Dessert & Fortified
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Dryness/Residual Sugar
Dessert: 95 percent on a scale from Dry to Sweet of Dryness/Residual Sugar. Fortified: 95 percent on the same scale.
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Acid (potential)
Dessert: 65 percent on a scale from Low to High of Acid (potential). Fortified: 65 percent on the same scale.
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Alcohol (potential)
Dessert: 95 percent on a scale from Low to High of Alcohol (potential). Fortified: 95 percent on the same scale.
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Body (weight on palate)
Dessert: 95 percent on a scale from Light to Full of Body (weight on palate). Fortified: 95 percent on the same scale.
Texture
Tart and lean, or round and smooth (still), round and smooth and/or creamy (dessert), effervescent (sparkling), round and smooth (dessert and fortified)
Tannin
N/A, however, resulting wines can be slightly phenolic due to intentional skin contact
Ageability
1 to 10 years, pedigree and style-dependent; the best fortified bottles can live far longer and the best sweet dessert and fortified styles are able to age for decades
Aromas/Flavors
Influenced by climate, terroir, clonal selection, and winemaking.
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Fruit and Vegetable
Green/yellow apple, apricot, peach, nectarine, grape, lychee, logan, melon, nectarine, peach, guava, mango, jackfruit, rambutan, candied citrus/citrus peel, orange, mandarin, strawberry, prunes, raisins, hay -
Floral
Chamomile, citrus blossom, apple blossom, orange blossom, honeysuckle, lavender, wildflower, saffron, jasmine, freesia, roses -
Earth
Mineral -
Wood
Vanilla, nutmeg, graham cracker, meringue, marzipan, clove, cinnamon, caramel/toffee, maple syrup, nougat, halva. -
Other
Orange/rose flower water, honey, hard candy, musk, assorted box candy (pralines, caramels, chocolate chews, etc.), Turkish delight