California
Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara and the rest of the state that makes most American wine.
- Stories
- 7on the topic
- Last covered
- November 14, 2026
Latest in CaliforniaCalifornia's 2026 Grape Harvest Started in July and Came In LightCalifornia stories
Napa or Sonoma? Choosing a Valley for Your First Wine Country Trip
by Uncorked Wave ·Napa is compact and reservation-driven; Sonoma is larger and looser. Here is how fees, bookings and car-free options compare for a first wine country trip.
What Wine Goes With Thanksgiving Dinner? Start With Acidity
by Uncorked Wave ·Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, dry Riesling, sparkling and Zinfandel all work at Thanksgiving. Here is the reasoning, from acidity to tannin, for a mixed table.
Pinot Noir vs. Cabernet Sauvignon: Why Two Red Grapes Pour So Differently
by Uncorked Wave ·Thin skins or thick, cool coast or warm valley: how grape, climate and winemaking make Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon so different in the glass.
Butter or Steel? How to Tell Oaked From Unoaked Chardonnay Before You Buy
by Uncorked Wave ·Chardonnay can taste rich and toasty or crisp and lean. Here is what oak and malolactic fermentation do, and the label and region clues to look for.
75, 85, 95: The Numbers Hiding in Every American Wine Label
by Uncorked Wave ·A grape name means at least 75% of it. An AVA means 85%. Here is what federal rules require behind a US wine label's grape, place, year and alcohol.
Plan a Winery Day Around the Ride Home
by Uncorked Wave ·Book the driver first, then the tastings. How many stops fit, what fees run and when they are waived, what to bring, and how to get bottles home.
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