Napa Valley Wines and Grapes
Napa is Cabernet country, but the story of its grapes is richer than one variety. On the red mountain above St. Helena, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grow on thin, stony soils, Merlot plays the quiet role of blending partner, and many growers who planted Sangiovese in the 1990s have since replaced it. In the hills east of the valley, Chiles Valley makes Chardonnay with real freshness.
Each guide below covers history, style and food, plus the odds growers weigh when they choose what to plant. The last two pages are practical: how to read the reviews and vintage charts, and what to open with dinner, from a steak to a poker night spread.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Valley Floor and Mountain
Napa Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville and Rutherford to Spring Mountain: history, blending rules, valley versus mountain style, ageing, and cult-wine auction prices.
Syrah in Napa Valley: The Mountain's Underdog Grape
Syrah is a small player in Napa, but rocky hillside blocks give peppery, violet-scented wine. Its Rhône roots, the hillside case for it, and why it is Napa's long shot.
Why Some Napa Growers Replaced Sangiovese
Sangiovese boomed in Napa in the 1990s, then many growers pulled it out for Cabernet or Syrah. The Cal-Ital story, and why very good was not good enough.
Merlot as a Blending Grape: Napa's Quiet Partner
Merlot ripens early, softens Cabernet and hedges the harvest. Why Napa growers plant a little for blending, the Sideways effect, and Merlot as an insurance bet.
Chiles Valley and Napa Chardonnay
Chiles Valley is a small, high valley in the hills east of St. Helena. Its Chardonnay and red grapes, Napa Chardonnay styles, and the back roads to Capay Valley's casino.
Vintage Charts Explained: How to Read the Form Guide
What vintage charts measure, how 100-point scores work, Napa's great and difficult years, and why a vintage chart is really a form guide for betting on bottles.
Food Pairing with Napa Wine: From Steak to a Poker Night Spread
How to match Napa Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese and Chardonnay with food, the rules that actually work, and what to pour at a home poker night.