On March 16th, over 300 guests experienced sunny California hidden in a glass of delicious wine during a California wine tasting at the Ambassador’s Residence. The Embassy’s Agricultural section collaborated with the Wine Institute and local importer, Californian Wines, to present 140 wines from 40 different Californian wine makers. It was a unique opportunity to not just taste top class wines but also to speak to the wine makers themselves, many of whom had traveled out for the event. All wines presented at the Residence are available for sale on the Czech market. Kirsten Luxbacher, Agricultural Attaché, noted “California wines are fresh, innovative, and full of exploration. Our office is excited to present this product in the Czech Republic and to demonstrate why Californian wine continues to grow in popularity around the world.”
Abundant sunshine mixed with the natural “air conditioning” effect of cool Pacific breezes paired with California’s wide variety of “terroirs”, allow for over 100 grape varieties to be grown across the state. From Chardonnay to Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, the sun shine state has it! California makes over 80% of U.S. wine and ranks the 4thamong world’s wine producers. California is home to 5,000 wineries, most of them family-owned, multi-generational businesses. More than 80% of California wine is made in a Certified California Sustainable Winery.