Sommeliers pick their favourite
Five experts suggest which California wines to try
Alvin Neo, sommelier, Mott 32
I love Chardonnays from the Russian River Valley as the style of wines from the region exhibits clear, bright fruit profiles, saline-like minerality and lingering acidity. They go really well with local food like Hainanese chicken rice and salted egg prawns.
Vincent Tan, head sommelier, Odette
The wines from Harlan Estate and Ridge Vineyards remain my favourite to this day because not only are they some of the finest examples of wines made today, they also maintain their unique sense of identity. Moreover, the work put in by the California wine industry on sustainable viticulture and social responsibility cannot be underestimated for the long-term future of the Californian wine industry, and that of our planet.
Gary Low, head sommelier, Corner House
California has always been an interesting region for me, especially
Purple Gao, head sommelier, Resorts World Sentosa
I visited Oakville California in 2012 and had my first taste of Opus One. It has intense rich flavours of berries with baby smooth tannins. That was when I fell in love with California wines, and even hand-carried 12 bottles of Opus One back home. for the different grape varieties that have found its rightful place in this exciting winegrowing zone! Zinfandel, Marsanne, Rousanne, and Viognier, alongside classic grape varieties like Cabernet, Shiraz, Pinot and Chardonnay, have all found a stable foothold in this region. The most exciting part of this is that winemakers are starting to experiment with blends other than the traditional “meritage” blends, or classic “Burgundian” style white cuvees. Now you have winemakers like Tablas Creek, who makes a Rousanne and Grenache dominant blend, or even Conundrum who makes a white blend from Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Muscat and Viognier. The opportunities are endless and I can’t wait to see what the California wine industry will bring in the near future!
Britt Ng, head sommelier, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
I love California wines for their complexity, versatility and the wonderful stories behind them. The Pinot Noirs by Au Bon Climat in Santa Barbara are particularly amazing.