2018 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Magnum

California has made a fantastic turnaround in a relatively short period of time and is now placed on a level with the major wine-growing regions of the world. But the history of California wine is not that long at all, because wine from California was still unknown in the 1970s. There were only 240 winemakers left. But after that, Californian wine experienced a very rapid development. In the year 2000 the area already had 1,450 companies, in 2007 already 2,867 producers vinified wine, now there are about 3,500 companies (sources: Hugh Johnson's Wine Companion 2009, Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2013). And even if the financial crisis has driven a number of winemakers into a corner: wine from California has become an indispensable part of the world of quality wines.

The Golden State encompasses some of the world's most famous wine regions, including Napa Valley, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Monterey, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara within the huge massive Central Coast appellation. Karen MacNeil, the author of The Wine Bible, has written that “California is the Camelot of wine - a place of awe-inspiring beauty and high standards; a wine region where the wealth of possibilities knows no bounds.” With the most diverse range of Terroirs in all 50 states of the USA, because just about every variety you can name has been planted somewhere in the California landscape. California's Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps the most recognized grape variety in the state, but world-class Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Riesling and Syrah are also produced, not to mention the main Rhône varieties such as Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache, and Mourvèdre are found here California's wine country is located in North San Francisco Bay, with more than 800 wineries located along this scenic route. The Bay area includes some of the world's most famous wine regions, including Napa Valley and Sonoma. The success of these famous regions in the Bay Area is largely due to the good soil composition and ideal climatic conditions. Each region is fortunate to have a wide range of temperatures and soil types that allow the wonderful variety of grapes to thrive here.

From north to south, the major regions are Mendocino, Lake, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Livermore Valley, Lodi, Sierra Foothills, Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara. California is a vast region made up of several smaller wine-producing areas. While California is best known for Napa Valley and Sonoma, the other regions of the state produce equally excellent wines. Napa Valley and Paso Robles are known for bold reds from Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, as well as the scenic wine route that offers wine lovers unique experiences. On the contrary, Santa Barbara and The Russian River Valley, with conditions more suited to delicate grapes, produce excellent expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Each of these regions offers a unique take on California's wines, allowing for a greater expression and experience of what the Golden State truly has to offer.

Currently there is an enormously wide range of extremely different wines. From simple Californian wines such as Gallo, which can now be found in almost every supermarket, to extremely expensive Californian luxury wines, such as Harlan Estate. A bottle of it can easily cost 1,800 euros. There are also an astonishing number of different grape varieties from California, at least in their country of origin, but on the European markets the old known ones from abroad dominate: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah and pinot noir for the red wines and chardonnay and sauvignon blanc for the red wines. white wines. The same as the Argentinian malbec, South African pinotage and the Chilean carmenère, the zinfandel is regarded as the original wine from its homeland in California. The modern history of California wine is closely tied to one name, which has long been almost synonymous with California wine: Robert Mondavi. He pioneered the standard of quality that California wines had never had before. Now, on the other hand, there is a whole collection of excellent California wine estates.

Red wine is made from blue grapes. The wines get their dark colour from the skin of the grape, which ferments with the grape juice. The intensity of the colour is determined by how long the juice has matured; a young red wine will have a somewhat purple colour, while older wines tend to be more orange or brown-red.

With around 10,000 varieties of grapes worldwide, you can go in all directions.

The most well-known blue grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah / Shiraz.

Types of red wine

There are many different types of grapes with different characteristics and aromas. The differences within grape varieties are due to the difference in climate, the soil where the vines are planted, and the amount of sun.

The end result is in the hands of the winemaker. During the process from juice to wine, the winemaker still has a lot of options to change the final product into what he wants to put on the market.

The upbringing of the wine plays a major role in this. After fermentation, the process of raising and maturing the wine begins. There are many options for influencing the wine, but the most well-known concerns the ageing in wood.

If the winemaker chooses to raise the wine on wood, many things come into play. The first choice is whether new or older barrels will be used. Older, used barrels release less or no more aromas and tannins, but they still have an oxidative function. New wood barrels let in dosed oxygen and ensure that the wine has aromas and tannins. This is more intense with smaller barrels than with large wooden barrels.

Dry red wine

The most famous red wine is a dry red wine. The number of grape varieties and different taste profiles are enormous. There is a nice glass of red for every moment.

Sweet red wine

Just like sweet white wine, there is sweet red wine too! They are a lot rarer than dry red wines. If you want to try something different, it's definitely worth a try.

Alcohol-free red wine

Non-alcoholic wine is becoming more and more popular. Whether it is red non-alcoholic wine, white non-alcoholic wine, or sparkling non-alcoholic wine, more and more attention is being paid to it. Perfect for a cosy drink during pregnancy, or during a non-alcoholic month!

Red wine Gift

Red wine is fun to give, and even more fun to receive! Grandcruwijnen has ready-made wine gifts to make your gift recipient happy ;)

If you have your eye on a bottle of wine, at Grandcruwijnen we also have gift packaging to complete your gift! If you've found something you like, you can easily add a gift card during checkout.

Buy red wine online

At Grandcruwijnen you can easily buy red wine online. In our range, you will find products from the well-known grape varieties. If you want to buy a nice red wine, you have come to the right place at Grandcruwijnen. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us!

The cabernet franc is used to make red wine, this blue grape is the predecessor of the well-known cabernet sauvignon and grows in the cooler places in the Bordeaux and Loire region. Often the Cabernet Franc grape is blended with the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

All about the Cabernet Franc grape

The little brother of the Cabernet Sauvignon; the cabernet franc! The French blue grape is used for making red wine. They are thick-skinned grapes and are grown in France, mainly the Loire and Bordeaux. The grape is often blended with cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes.

In the Loire, the cabernet franc performs all by itself and ages in stainless steel or large barrels of old wood. In Bordeaux, the grape has to share the bottle with merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

The cabernet franc does well in relatively cool climates. Outside of France, the grape is grown in Northern Italy, California, and Hungary. The grape has an average ripening period and likes calcareous clay soil. Sandy soil is also possible, but then there must be sufficient moisture in the soil.

The grapes are smaller grapes with fewer tannins and slightly more acidity than its brother, the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aromas in the Cabernet Franc grape

They may be smaller grapes, but they have thick skin. The skin contains a lot of tannins in the wine. The most common flavors are:

• Blackberries
• Strawberry
• Pepper
• Tobacco
• Green pepper

When the Cabernet Franc has been aged in wood, it is a powerful wine with tannins. In warmer regions, the Cabernet Franc grape becomes a sweeter grape with more fruit notes. The more sunlight and heat a grape receives, the higher the amount of sugar in the grape. This creates wines with a higher alcohol percentage!

Wine and food: Cabernet Franc wine

The firm tannins and high acidity make this grape great with food. Great combinations are:

• Grilled tuna steak (with the lighter versions of this wine)
• Calf
• Spicy risotto

Do you already have a dish in mind, but you don't know which wine goes with it? Grandcruwijnen has a smart sommelier option. You enter the ingredients of the dish, and we guarantee a good match for the dish!

How long should you keep a Cabernet Franc?

These wines can be stored for a very long time because the wines have a high tannin content. In short; the higher the tannin content, the longer you can keep the red wine. With a longer time in the bottle, the tannins soften, and the wine forms a wonderful balance between all the aromas, tannins, and acidity.

Grandcruwijnen always displays a drinking window. With each wine, you can see in which years the wine has the best potential!

I would like to buy a Cabernet Franc wine

A cabernet franc is a wine that every wine drinker must taste! Grandcruwijnen has cabernet franc wines for every budget. Would you like to find out more about the grape or a specific recommendation? Please feel free to contact us!

Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape variety. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a very well-known grape and gives a full flavour and a dark colour. The ripening process is very important.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most recognized grape varieties for red wine. The grapes are grown in almost every major wine-producing country in a wide spectrum of climates, from Australia, Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, to even China. 

Although the grapes are grown worldwide, most Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from France, Chile, Australia and South Africa.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape ripens late, which is why it thrives best in warm climates. In Bordeaux it is just fine, especially in the relatively warm Entre-Deux Mer and on the dry gravel soils of Médoc and Graves. 

What does a Cabernet Sauvignon wine taste like?

The Cabernet Sauvignon is the most well-behaved boy in the vineyard. He rarely abandons his owner. A Cabernet Sauvignon always gives scents and flavors of blackcurrant and spicy aromas. The difference of which aromas emerge is decided during the maturation process. If a Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in small wooden barrels, then more aromas of coffee, spices and toast will come to the fore.

What temperature should you drink Cabernet Sauvignon?

Over the occasion, a red wine should be drunk at a temperature slightly cooler than room temperature. A Cabernet Sauvignon's ideal serving temperature is 16°C, but the aromas of the wine will come out well between 15 and 18°C. 

The Merlot grape is originally a real (right bank) Bordeaux grape and the most planted grape in France. In many cases, this grape is mixed with Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot is known for its smooth and easy wines that are also full-bodied and powerful.

Today's red wine drinker likes to drink his bottle of red wine young and be able to enjoy a full taste. The Merlot is ideal for this.

What does a Merlot taste like?

The Merlot is a soft, supple red wine with fairly neutral tannins and acidity. The taste of this red wine is mainly recognizable by cherries, berries and plums. This wine contains less tannin than the Cabernet Sauvignon, making it easier and younger to drink. Due to its low acidity, the Merlot can also be used as a table wine.

Petit Verdot is a late-ripening, small, blue grape with a firm skin and low yield that is one of the best grapes in the world.
Originally, this grape was grown in Bordeaux and used as a blend, but due to the too cool climate, the grape only reaches full maturity there once every 3 to 4 years.
In warmer countries, such as Spain, Australia, California and South Africa, the grape thrives better and is given the opportunity to fully ripen.

What does the Petit Verdot taste like?

Petit Verdot produces powerful wines with notes of ripe, black fruit (blueberries, black cherries, blue plums), smoke, spices, cedar and molassses. Furthermore, the wines have firm tannins and a long finish. Excellent combination with game, tournedos, lamb, steak, seasoned pork and hard cheeses.