Is There a California Wine Shortage?

Last year, an epic wildfire raged through California. Many people have since asked; will there be a wine shortage in the Golden State? 

Devastating wildfire

Here at the Ideal Wine Company, we sell a range of luxury California wines. The US’ largest wine making state, California boasts a number of famous wine making areas such as Lake, Napa and Sonoma Counties. Over the years, they’ve developed a reputation for creating some of the world’s most sought after vintages from high-quality grapes like Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 2015, fierce wildfires ignited across the state and we wondered whether it would damage California’s 2015 grape harvest. The fires burned in Lake, Sonoma and Napa Counties and many producers suggested that smoke taint could impact their grape harvests. However, industry body the California Wine Institute said: “The smoke has not lingered in the vineyards because of winds and many grapes are already picked because of the abnormally early harvest. Smoke taint impacts grapes that are in a growing stage of rapid expansion, [but] the grapes are well advanced at this point.” 

Wine shortage

Now, people are asking whether the wildfires could lead to a California wine shortage, according to The Drinks Business, an online trade portal. They noted that the Guardian US recently ran a story which suggested that smoke taint has so severely impacted grape growing regions in the Golden State that it would threaten wine stock levels this year and drive wine prices higher.

The article suggested that wineries in Sonoma and Napa will “look North to Lake County for cheaper grapes” to support production. The publication reportedly paraphrased a statement issued by the California Wine Institute, noting that smoke taint in Lake County has seriously reduced the amount of fruit available for wine blending purposes. This has been categorically denied by the Institute; a spokesperson for the body said “we find this story to be completely out of context and inaccurate.”

Blown out of proportion

Elaborating, the Institute said that stock levels wouldn’t be a problem. There has been a 10% rise in California vineyard acres since 2010, while the state saw record harvests in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The California Wine Institute did warn that 2015s grape harvest figure will be a lot lower than usual. But it added that increases in vineyard acres are still “estimated to be high.” Along with record harvests, this should prevent a California wine shortage.

The Institute also argued that the smoke taint issue has been blown out of proportion. Continuing, the spokesperson said: “I’m happy to report that after talking with many other growers and winemakers, not one test result or sensory assessment has shown a perceptible level of taint.” Going on, the spokesperson addressed the issue of prices, saying: “With the recent large harvests, it doesn’t make sense to suggest increase in prices due to short supply.”

Try California wine

Commenting further, the spokesperson argued: “[California] wineries are responding to this demand for upscale products and are offering a huge diversity of wine types and prices.” If you want to see what kind of luxury products the Golden State produces, buy the Harlan Estate 1998 from the Ideal Wine Company; this robust California red will blow your taste buds away! 

California Wine Region to Receive Major Honour

The Ideal Wine Company has learned that a celebrated wine-making area in California is set to be named the ‘Wine Region of the Year’ by Wine Enthusiast.

Recognising excellence

The Wine Star Awards were first launched by the editors of Wine Enthusiast in the year 2000. They include the now-coveted ‘Wine Region of the Year’ Award, which in the past has been won by such noted wine-making areas as the Rhône Valley, Paso Robles and the Colchagua Valley.

Wine Enthusiast says that the purpose of the award "is to recognize not only excellence in wine quality, but also innovation and excitement coupled with the courage to take risks and the skill to succeed." The next Wine Star Awards will be held on 26^th January in New York, and will see Lodi, California named ‘Wine Region of the Year.’

Introducing Lodi

Located in Central Valley, California, Lodi has been a major wine-making region since the 1850s. Its wine-production industry has grown phenomenally in the last 10-15 years and today, Lodi features 110,000 acres of vineyards, more than 750 growers, and over 85 boutique wineries.

Back in the early 20^th Century Lodi promoted itself as the “Tokay capital of the world,” due to its abundance of ‘Flame Tokay grapes.’ However Flame Tokay vines have since been replaced by other varietals, primarily Zinfandel, and Lodi now cultivates over 100 varietals, including award winning Chardonnay, Graciano and Gewürztraminer grapes.

Wine Region of the Year

Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Wine Grape Commission, spoke out on the news. He said: “Being named Wine Region of the Year is exciting for Lodi as it recognizes the historic and ongoing commitment by our winegrowers, winemakers and Lodi wine region fans to grow, make, promote and enjoy amazing world-class wines from our region.”

King went on to comment: “Lodi has been supplying wine grapes to wineries for generations and is emerging in its own right as a world-class wine producing region focused on heritage, innovation and our commitment to place and people through our leadership in sustainability. The future for the Lodi wine region is brighter than ever and all of our growers, winemakers and community are thrilled to be honoured with this award and recognition.”

Try California Wine

Lodi’s recognition as the ‘Wine Region of the Year’ highlights the Golden State’s reputation for producing first-class vintages. If you want to see why California wine is so highly regarded, why don’t you buy the Harlan Estate 1998 from the Ideal Wine Company today! 

Will Wildfires Damage California’s Wine Industry?

As the California wildfires rage on, gigantic flames have already destroyed wide swathes of the Golden State. This has forced the Ideal Wine Company to ask; will wildfires damage California’s wine industry? 

Golden state wine making  

California boasts the most prominent wine making sector in the United States, known the world over for producing quality vintages. Today famous California regions such as Napa Valley and Sonoma County produce some of the globe’s most sought after wine, made from high-quality grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot.  

California now comprises almost 90% of the US’s total wine production, and recent statistics show that there’s no sign it’ll slow down anytime soon. Data quoted by The Drinks Business indicates that the region enjoyed record grape harvests in 2012, 2013 and 2014, yet some experts believe that the wildfires that have recently hit the Golden State could damage California’s 2015 grape harvest.  

Assessing the damage  

According to CBS News, at the time of writing the fire has burned across 67,000 acres of California countryside; mostly in Lake County, but also in Sonoma and Napa Counties. It has destroyed a variety of wineries in the region, such as Shed Horn Cellars in Middletown, Lake County.  

It’s hard to assess the damage just yet, according to Jacque Lynn Johnson, district director of the California Farm Service Agency. She said "we don't know how many acres have been burned, nor do we know if there has been smoke penetration to the remaining fruit, affecting its quality.” Johnson added, "due to evacuation orders, many growers have not been able to visit their ranches to assess what damage, if any, has occurred." 

Smoke taint 

Johnson raised the issue of smoke taint, and some experts are really concerned about it. Andrea Smalling, chief marketing officer of Foley Family Wines in Middletown, which was damaged by the fire, was one. Smalling commented that "it's likely that we won't be able to harvest the remaining grapes due to smoke damage, but our winemaker is doing some lab work to confirm.” 

However the California Wine Institute has expressed confidence that the majority of wineries that lie within the fire’s path may yet avoid the scourge of smoke taint. They explained: “The smoke has not lingered in the vineyards because of winds and many grapes are already picked because of the abnormally early harvest. Smoke taint impacts grapes that are in a growing stage of rapid expansion, (but) the grapes are well advanced at this point.” 

Try California wine 

It’s hard to assess the impact of the California wildfires, but it appears as though they will inflict at least some damage on the region’s booming wine industry. If you want to see why people want the Golden States’ wine industry to pull through, try the Ideal Wine Company’s California wines today. 

US Fine Wine Prices to Rise in 2015

New figures have shown the Ideal Wine Company that fine wine prices in the US, known for the quality of its California vintages, are set to rise in 2015.

From Bit Player to Up and Coming Behemoth

As a provider of first-rate luxury vintages for a price that won’t break your bank balance, the Ideal Wine Company strives to bring you fine wines from around the world. We have several vintages from the US’s most famous wine-making region, California.

Once a bit player on the global wine stage, the US is becoming known as an up and coming behemoth in the world of wine making. As such it proved no surprise to the Ideal Wine Company when we heard that US fine wine prices are set to rise in 2015.

US Fine Wine to Rise 14% - 18%

According to Wine Searcher, the Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) annual State of the Industry report revealed that US fine wine prices are set to rise 14% - 18% throughout 2015.

Defining fine wine as vintages costing $20 or more, SVB went on to reveal that this comes despite three successive large domestic harvests that have provided the industry with an abundant supply of wine. They also argued that prices will increase despite wine makers’ previous reluctance to charge more for their wares due to the state of the economy.

“It’s the Economy Stupid!”

SVB executive vice president Rob McMillan took the time to speak out on the revelation to Wine Searcher. McMillan was quick to argue that "I really think it's going to be a breakout year" for luxury wine in the US.

When asked what the biggest indicator that the SVB’s prediction would bear fruit was, McMillan proceeded to quote Bill Clinton; "it's the economy, stupid." The vice president elaborated by suggesting that "restaurants are starting to be a little bit more optimistic now," and "that's a big change. 35% of fine wines are sold in restaurants."

Check out the Ideal Wine Company Product List

That could push the prices of US fine wine up around the rest of the world. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced US luxury vintage in 2015, make sure you take the time to check out the Ideal Wine Company product list. 

What happens to a wine when it’s aged under the sea?

We at Ideal Wine Company were interested to hear recently that vintners in California have produced the first wine in America that has been aged under the sea.

Who’s responsible for this idea?

This unusual news from the world of wine is surprising to say the least, and you’re probably at this point wondering who came up with the idea. 

The credit can go Jim Dyke, who runs Mira Winery in Napa Valley. Jim decided to break from the conventional wisdom of aging wine in a cellar and instead decided to experiment aging forty-eight bottles of his 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon in the ocean.

The wine was stored in custom-built steel cages, secured to wooden boards with their necks sealed with wax. They were then left 60ft below the Charleston Harbour in South Carolina for 12 weeks.

The harbour was selected for its stable temperature of around 13°C – the same temperature at which wine is typically aged on land.

So what were the results?

After the three months were up the wine was tasted by advanced sommelier Patrick Emerson and Mira’s wine-maker of twenty years’ experience, Gustav Gonzalez.

After only a short period of being aged in the ocean, the wine had a singularly different taste to the same wine that was aged in their cellars. The deep sea conditions appeared to have accelerated the aging process.

In the words of Mr Dyke, “Ocean wine tasted older, much more complex, and the tannins were more rounded. 

What happened next?

After shocking result of the first experiment, further tests were conducted, doubling the aging period to six months and using hundred bottles. Of the 147 people who tasted the finished product, a remarkable 140 mistakenly believed they were tasting a completely different wine to what had been aged in a cellar.

Despite laboratory tests showing that the wines had almost exactly the same chemical composition, the precise reasons why the wine that aged underwater tasted so differently is not yet fully understood.

Will it take off?

This news will certainly come as a major shock and the questions on many peoples' lips will be whether or not this takes off. Whilst we at Ideal Wine Company unfortunately don't have the answer to that question it will be interesting to see if and how this develops.