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    California Wine! The Best Wines From California

    California Wine! The Best Wines From California

    California is the number one wine producer in the United States. While the state is best known for Cabernet and Chardonnay, one of my very favorite varieties found here is Syrah. Wine producers throughout California do an excellent job with this grape which expresses itself differently in cool climates than it does hot climates. Tasting a sample from a cool, northern region and then trying one from a hot and dry southern climate, and comparing how the same grape ends up in a glass is both fascinating and insightful.

    We also include lots of reviews of one of our favorite value varieties, Petite Sirah. If you're a Cabernet lover looking to save money or want a great wine to pair with your steak, Petite Sirah is a great option.

    Click here to check out our printable shopping lists!

    Some of the best value in California comes from blends, a combination of different grape varieties such as Cabernet and Merlot. When done well, these blends allow the winemakers to essentially take the best of each variety and combine them for what is often much greater than the sum of its parts. Many red and white blends in California are terrific.

    And if you're skeptical of blended wines, just realize this: many of the wines you currently drink from California may be labeled as a single variety but in actuality they are a blend! Labeling laws in the state allow a wine to be labeled as a single variety if it contains at least 75% of that variety. This means that premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that you love (and paid extra for) could have up to 25% Merlot in it!

    Read on for our list of The Best Wine From California Under $20!

    Markham Napa Valley Merlot - Bulls-Eye!

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 13, 2022 Last Updated: May 13, 2022

    Markham Napa Valley Merlot - Bulls-Eye!

    A great example of the variety, we review the Markham Napa Valley Merlot. 87% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Highly Recommended, Merlot

    Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Lot 105 Review

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 13, 2022 Last Updated: May 13, 2022

    Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Lot 105 Review

    We review the Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Lot 105 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir to find out if it measures up. Pinot Noir from the … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, California - Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir For The 99, Trader Joe's

    INSIDER DEAL! Half Off Carneros Pinot Noir!

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 11, 2022 Last Updated: May 13, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Half Off Carneros Pinot Noir!

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir For The 99

    INSIDER DEAL! Pedroncelli Dry Creek Rosé - The Definition of a Bulk Buy

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 9, 2022 Last Updated: May 11, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Pedroncelli Dry Creek Rosé - The Definition of a Bulk Buy

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, California - Dry Creek Valley, Deals, Insider Deals, Rosé, Zinfandel

    INSIDER DEAL! Peterson Vignobles Red Wine - A Perfect 10

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 6, 2022 Last Updated: May 9, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Peterson Vignobles Red Wine - A Perfect 10

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, California - Dry Creek Valley, Carignan, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals, Red Blends

    INSIDER DEAL! Steele Shooting Star Zinfandel - A Pleasure

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 4, 2022 Last Updated: May 6, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Steele Shooting Star Zinfandel - A Pleasure

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, California - Lake County, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals, Zinfandel

    Twenty Acres by Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon - Pretty Darn Tasty

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 3, 2022 Last Updated: May 3, 2022

    Twenty Acres by Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon - Pretty Darn Tasty

    Highly recommended Cabernet with a secret ingredient, the Twenty Acres by Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Highly Recommended, Vegan

    Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley - Cheap But Not Cheap Tasting

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 30, 2022 Last Updated: April 30, 2022

    Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley - Cheap But Not Cheap Tasting

    An earthy Pinot Noir from Trader Joe's for just $10, the Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley. Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir For The 99, Trader Joe's

    McManis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - An Everyday Cabernet

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 30, 2022 Last Updated: April 30, 2022

    McManis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - An Everyday Cabernet

    Good enough and cheap enough to drink everyday, the McManis Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi. 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 8% … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, California

    INSIDER DEAL! Vigilance Cimarron - One Finely Crafted Cuvée

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 29, 2022 Last Updated: May 2, 2022

    INSIDER DEAL! Vigilance Cimarron - One Finely Crafted Cuvée

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, California - Lake County, Deals, GSM, Insider Deals, Red Blends

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    About Reverse Wine Snob

    Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good! Jon Thorsen is an independent wine consumer who has been helping millions of people (3.9 million visits in 2021 alone) find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. If you're new to Reverse Wine Snob® sign up for my free guide and don't miss our exclusive Insider Deals! Read more about Reverse Wine Snob in the news and about me.

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