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Richard Siddle: California blog, Monday February 28

Published:  01 March, 2011

The last time I was in California was as a cash strapped backpacker in 1993 trying to get round the States on less than $20 a day. But whilst I had ventured as far north as San Francisco the wine regions had not been on my frugal radar.

The last time I was in California was as a cash strapped backpacker in 1993 trying to get round the States on less than $20 a day. But whilst I had ventured as far north as San Francisco the wine regions had not been on my frugal radar.

This visit this week not only took me into the heart of Sonoma County in the north, Lodi in the Central Valley and further south in Paso Robles, it did so in the hands of the local AVAs and therefore a belt and braces tour into the heart of what the three regions are really trying to do with their wines.

From the artisan and family winemakers in Sonoma, working with specific soil and climate types and up to 50 varieties, to the bigger scale, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated, Las Robles. This is a trip designed to talk directly and frankly with wineries in the know.

I am fortunate to be travelling, amongst others, in the company of the great wise wine minds and tutors of Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin MW. All adding to tducation as well as the experience.

It also helps catch up on notes with Oz and Tim engaging all and sundry with their double act of barrister-style cross examination of winemakers.

Travelling up to Sonoma on the Sunday night of the Oscars it was good to see the Golden Gate Bridge was where I left it all those years ago.

Healdsburg is our home for the first three nights of the trip. Our first jet lagged evening spent sipping our way through the eclectic portfolio of wines from Black Mountain Wines that just so happen to be the winery of our host, Honore Comfort of Sonoma County Vintners.

A selection of wines more in keeping with the continent where we have all just come from than traditional California. The picks being light, soft restrained yet fruity Pinot Noirs, one so natural it would turn the heads of Cave de Pyrene. And an Italian "super Tuscan" style Sangiovese based wine that seemed so far away from its homeland.

But whilst the boy Colin Firth may have spent Sunday dancing the night away fantastic at the Oscar parties , the UK wine crew decided it was best to leave their best moves for more sprightly times later in the week.

* Richard Siddle is travelling across Sonoma, Lodi and Paso Robles over the next week. If there is anything you would like him to investigate whilst in California then either post him at this address or via twitter at @richardsiddle

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