Fruit Of The Vine
Chardonnay is the most successful white grape grown in the Burgundy region of France and in California . Full-flavored, dry and rich, oak barrel fermentation and aging adds important aromas and flavors. Sauvignon Blanc, sometimes called Fumé Blanc, is usually dry. Grown throughout California and in the Bordeaux region of France for white Bordeaux , it is recognized by its herbaceous, grassy aroma. Its high acidity makes it a refreshing accompaniment to seafood.

Champagne
comes from France 's winemaking region of the same name, made with the Chardonnay grape and often pinot noir utilizing an involved process called "Méthode Champenoise." Quality sparkling wines are also made in California through the same painstaking technique.

Cabernet Sauvignon
produces the classic reds of Bordeaux , with careful blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. In California , this noble grape creates a full-bodied and deeply colored wine, which benefits from aging in oak. Cabernet Sauvignon is often described as having currant and cherry fruit flavors and a dry finish.

Merlot
is also from the Bordeaux region of France . Similar to Cabernet, it is usually less tannic and consumed younger than most cabernets. Merlot wines are medium to deep red with rich and fruity aroma.

Zinfandel
can be made in a variety of styles, from fruity blush wines to hearty reds, which require some bottle aging to soften tannins. Zinfandel is a hearty, robust red wine, full of fruit, tannin, depth and aging potential. The best are berry-like with spicy character.

Pinot Noir
is the great red grape of Burgundy and also produces some remarkable wines in Napa , Sonoma and Santa Barbara . Pinot Noir ranges from fruity to full-bodied and deeply colored. Considered a difficult grape to grow, when raised to its optimum, it is well worth the effort.

Syrah
in the Rhone region of France is known as Shiraz in Australia . Full flavored, it contains significant tannin, and needs time to reach its full glory. This wine is rapidly growing in popularity and is an excellent match for beef.

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Aroma
is the scent of a young wine, consisting of the smell of the grape juice, the fermentation, and, if oak barrels were used, the nuance of oak.

Bouquet
is the complex fragrance the wine develops as it ages.

Balance
defines acidity, sweetness, tannins and alcohol working together, with no single element dominating.

Body
is the weight of the wine in the mouth, ranging from light to full-bodied.